SHAUN LUNT and Craig Kopczak now have the sort of experience which can turn Huddersfield Giants into winners.
That’s the view of Stuart Fielden, who has been impressed with Grand Final winner Lunt and Wales captain Kopczak in pre-season training.
“The experience we have got this year is going to be a massive help,” said former Wigan Warriors star Fielden.
“The experience the likes of Shaun Lunt (who also played in the Challenge Cup final) and Craig Kopczak have got now is vital.
“Huddersfield have been a force to contend with in the last two years but, being blatantly honest, the wheels have fallen off during the last third of both seasons.
“I can’t tell you the reasons why that happened, because I haven’t been here.
“But I can stipulate that in those years the club haven’t had enough players who have won anything and been in the hardest situations, like the big games where it’s do or die.
“You need those types of players to come through those big games and understand that it breeds resilience.
“That resilience goes on to breed within the team, which means that when it comes to a tough game with a minute to go, we can weather that storm.”
Lunt starred on loan with Leeds Rhinos last season while Kopczak is highly rated throughout Super League.
Fielden, who will be heading into his 16th season as a professional Rugby League player after a couple of injury-troubled years, says he’s excited about the future at the Giants.
“I was shocked how high the intensity has been in pre-season, but it is exactly what you need,” said Fielden, who is on a week’s break along with his colleagues.
