Rising Huddersfield Giants star Oliver Roberts has praised the influence of the senior players on the club’s blossoming young talent.
Huddersfield head coach Paul Anderson will again be looking to youth when they host Widnes Vikings in Sunday’s Super League XXI clash at the John Smith’s Stadium.
With the Giants’ injury list showing no signs of shortening – Danny Brough, Eorl Crabtree, Scott Grix, Craig Huby, Jared Simpson, Joe Wardle and Kyle Wood are all still missing – Anderson may field the same 17 that battled bravely before suffering a heartbreaking 18-13 home defeat to Wigan 12 days ago.
And while it was the club’s young guns who emerged with so much of the credit that night, 20-year-old back-rower Roberts admits it was the help of the club’s senior players that meant Huddersfield were just three minutes away from claiming an against-all-odds win against the Warriors.
“I believe all of the younger lads in the squad are all going really well, to be honest. We’ve all trained a lot together, so we know what each other can do,” said the former Bradford Bulls youngster.
READ MORE: Chris Roberts' Huddersfield Giants match analysis against Wigan Warriors
“But obviously the senior boys have helped us out a lot.
“We in the younger end of the squad lads have been digging in and if any of us make a mistake, we’re willing to keep going and give it 100%, knowing the senior guys will be there every step of the way to support and encourage us.
“Personally, they’ve been absolutely brilliant with me.
“But I’d have to say the biggest influence on me has to be Hinchy (Ryan Hinchcliffe). I think he’s helped us all a lot, because he’s so knowledgeable about the game and has brought so much experience over with him that we’ve all found so beneficial.
“Ukuma (Ta’ai) has also been great. He obviously plays in a pretty similar position to me, so the help he’s given me has really improved me leaps and bounds.
“Overall, everybody has chipped in and I’ve been delighted by the help. I think I echo the thoughts of all the young lads when I say that.”
Young fans will again have the chance to be put through their places by former Giants favourite David Faiumu down at Big G’s den on the astroturf ahead of Sunday’s game against Widnes.
Other activities for supporters include a bouncy castle, face painting and a fire engine on hand for younger supporters to have a look around, while a selection of non-playing first team players will be on hand to greet arriving fans.
