LEEDS Rhinos coach Tony Smith believes former club Huddersfield will claim many more Super League scalps before the end of the season - if they play like they did against the world club champions at Headingley last night.

Despite the Giants being on the receiving end of a 44-14 defeat by the Super League leaders, Smith was full of praise for the way the visitors had performed.

And he has no doubts that coach Jon Sharp's side will continue to go from strength to strength, particularly when they start to get their injured players back on the field.

"I thought Huddersfield played very, very well against us last night. It's the best I've seen them play for a while," said Smith.

"They had a real dig, and there's no doubt that if they continue playing like that for the rest of the season, they'll beat plenty of teams.

"When they threw the ball around they asked a lot of questions of us, and we needed to be at our best to keep them out.

"So, overall, I have to say I'm very happy that we got this win, because we were made to work hard for it by a very good team."

The Giants were given little hope going into the contest because of the horrendous injury list.

Senior players Paul Reilly (hand), Hefin O'Hare (knee), James Evans (thumb), Stuart Donlan (groin) and Stanley Gene (shoulder) were all absent, while several others went into the contest carrying knocks.

But that didn't prevent them having some promising spells during the game, and with 25 minutes remaining they were just 22-14 behind.

And the effort put in by his players delighted Giants chief Sharp.

"Anyone who didn't see this match and just took a look at the scoreline would think Huddersfield copped a flogging," said Sharp.

"But that couldn't have been further from the truth.

"I'm absolutely as proud as punch to have come to Headingley and to have challenged such a good team as well as we did."