IN-FORM full-back Paul Reilly has thanked Giants coach Jon Sharp for resting him during the Powergen Challenge Cup quarter-final win over York.
The 27-year-old has admitted he was bitterly disappointed to have been left out of that team.
But following his superb man-of-the-match display against Wigan yesterday he knows exactly why.
"Up to playing the Wigan game I didn't know exactly why Jon had left me out against York," said Reilly.
"But I do now, and that's why Jon's such a good coach.
"I returned against Wigan yesterday and immediately felt the benefits of having a weekend off.
"I felt as if I had bags of energy and was really happy with the way everything went.
"I've already thanked Jon for doing it, although I don't want him to make a habit of it!
"I'll settle for it as a one-off, and so I intend to do everything I can to make sure there's no way he can rest me again."
Obviously injury could force the issue.
And Reilly admits he doesn't like some of the ways in which he appears to be targeted by the opposition.
"I think one of the instructions must be to try and take my head off to gain a reaction," said Reilly, who was again caught by a high shot by Wigan's Gareth Hock, who was placed on report as a result.
"They're obviously trying to get get me sin-binned or sent off.
"But I'm getting wise to it now, and I'm learning to keep my cool better than I used to."
