Blockbusting Huddersfield Giants forward Ukuma Ta’ai is determined to shake off the Wigan woes and help his side storm into the play-off semi-finals by destroying Catalan Dragons at the John Smith’s Stadium tonight.

The Tongan World Cup star has become stronger and stronger as the season has progressed.

He was at the heart of the Giants’ unbeaten seven-match run at the end of the regular season as Huddersfield finished third in the Super League table.

As a result, he has admitted last Friday’s 57-4 thrashing at Wigan Warriors came as a massive shock to the system.

But he knows there will be no mistake second time around against the Dragons tonight (8.00) as the Giants look to move to within 80 minutes of the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford for the first time.

“The boys were really disappointed about last week. We didn’t expect it to go like that at all,” said the 27-year-old former New Zealand Warriors star.

“This week we talked about the game as a group, how to fix it and how we’re going to do it. We feel we have a reason to make it through and our focus is the Grand Final.

”And I’m desperate to do what I can to make sure we do get there.

“I’ve been pleased with some of the form I’ve shown towards the back end of the season, and I want to give even more against a Catalan side who won’t be lacking confidence after their win at Leeds last week.

“To be honest, I was shocked by that result, but that’s the game and they deserved it. We both have a chance to take the next step.”

And even though the Giants beat Catalan 38-16 at the John Smith’s Stadium two months ago. Ta’ai knows that counts for nothing when it comes to sudden-death the knockout rugby.

“When we played them at the John Smith’s Stadium we beat them convincingly,” he added.

“But all that will do is make them want to come back harder and stronger this time.

“Catalan have a good side and so do we. If we keep focused on doing what we’re doing, never give up, do our job and go forward, we can do it.

“I know we have the squad capable of going all the way.”