IF this is a taste of things to come, it's going to be one Super season!
The Giants already look bigger, better and stronger than last year, and it's pretty obvious the tough pre-season regime is paying off.
In the first half, in particular, Huddersfield were by far the most dominant physical force.
They bossed the middle of the field from minute one to 40, with the usually formidable Wigan front-row pair of Stuart Fielden and Iafeta Palea'aesina finding it almost impossible to make an impact.
In contrast, new Huddersfield prop John Skandalis was a tower of strength, taking the opening drive without fear to give the fans a taste of things to come.
But, to be honest, all of the Giants props proved a real handful, with Keith Mason, Eorl Crabtree, Paul Jackson and highly-promising new recruit Darrell Griffin all responding to the arrival of their new front-row colleague.
And what about Steve Snitch!
He, too, can play in the front-row if called upon, and on the back of this display he could be the man to watch in 2007.
After struggling to command a regular Super League spot towards the end of last season, the former Wakefield back-rower has clearly been determined to do something about it.
On the evidence of this game, he's worked as hard as anyone to improve his speed and strength - and it's working big time!
He was quickly into his stride with some powerful drives, wth the icing on the cake coming with his 26th-minute try.
Last season, there's no way he would have scored it.
Collecting the ball 15m from the Wigan line, he initially shrugged off one defender and then took three more over the line with him to score in incredible fashion.
On top of that, Chris Thorman - a quality performer in the unaccustomed role of full-back - was able to bang over the goal from the left touchline with apparent ease.
That in itself was special, but having come 22 minutes after landing another top effort from the right touchline, it made it even more of a joy.
Thorman's first conversion had come after another new Giants' signing, Shane Elford, scored with virtually his first touch of the ball.
It was Robbie Paul who made it possible, however, dummying to pass to the openside from acting half-back and then quickly turning to kick the ball to the corner for Elford to pounce.
And on the evidence of this showing, it will be the first of many for the rangy utility back, whose defence was also sound.
His wing-centre combination with his former Wests Tigers teammate Jamahl Lolesi is already looking a mouth-watering prospect, with the powerful New Zealand three-quarter also marking his debut with a performance of great assurance.
However, it was the appearance of the Giants' fifth and final signing for Super League XII that was always going to create the most interest.
After two years in the wilderness, Ryan Hudson was finally back playing rugby league.
His time on the field was naturally limited - he played from the 33rd to 54th minute and then re-appeared for the closing moments - but his impact was considerable.
Within seconds of coming on, he was leading the defence by example and looking to prompt his side's attack.
Obviously, there were times when things didn't go exactly according to plan, but for a first game back it was a fantastic effort. And everyone knows there will be plenty more to come!.
By the time Hudson entered the fray, his side had already established a 12-10 lead after the converted scores from Elford and Snitch to replies from Mark Calderwood and Gareth Hock and a Pat Richards goal.
And by half-time, the Giants' advantage had been increased to 18-10 when the busy Kevin Brown capitalised on a Thorman grubber to touch down.
It got even better in the 48th minute when Hudson and Paul combined for the lively scrum half to kick through and give Brown his second of the game.
Wigan did fight back with converted tries in the 57th and 65th minutes from Hock and Harrison Hansen, albeit on the back of Giants' errors in the dreadful conditions.
But it would have been a massive travesty had Wigan nicked it at the end.
This was a victory Huddersfield definitely deserved, and let's all hope it's a taste of things to come!
* Leeds Metropolitan University are the new sponsors of the Challenge Cup after agreeing a six-year deal with the Rugby Football League valued at a seven-figure sum.
They take over from Powergen, with the tournament's official title becoming the "Carnegie Challenge Cup."
