With a full fixture list returning after the World Club Series, Huddersfield Giants welcome Wakefield Wildcats to the John Smiths Stadium on Friday evening.
Last Time Out
Huddersfield couldn’t back up their opening weekend win away to Widnes Vikings, as they were beaten 30-22 by Salford Red Devils. Gareth O’Brien picked the Giants apart in their first home fixture of the season and they will be hoping for a response in front of their supporters this time out.
Wakefield enjoyed a free weekend during the World Club Series, but in round one they were narrowly beaten in poor conditions by Hull FC. A 12-8 defeat by last year’s Challenge Cup winners is something Trinity will take a lot of positives from as they aim to get off the mark at the second time of asking.
Key Battle
The halfback pairing of both these teams will be key in the outcome of this encounter, as Ryan Brierley and Danny Brough go up against Jacob Miller and Sam Williams. Brierley and Brough have had time to fine tune their partnership since they first came together midway through last season, and this year they will be key if Huddersfield are to avoid the bottom four.
Williams was an astute signing for Trinity as he has NRL experience under his belt and did a great job when called upon in the impressive Canberra Raiders of 2016. Partnered with Miller, who can provide the spark in attack, they will be out to make it another top eight season for the club.
The halfback pairing which can get a stranglehold on the game early on could lead their team to victory in this one.
Prediction
Wakefield have won their last three meetings with the Giants and despite being away from home they could make it four in a row on Friday evening. Wakefield by 6.
Squads
Huddersfield Giants 19 man squad: Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Lee Gaskell, Aaron Murphy, Danny Brough, Ryan Brierley, Sam Rapira, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Shannon Wakeman, Dale Ferguson, Kruise Leeming, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Ta’ai, Paul Clough, Daniel Smith, Tyler Dickinson, Darnell McIntosh, Alex Mellor
Wakefield Trinity 19 man squad: Chris Annakin, Tinirau Arona, Matty Ashurst, Jordan Crowther, Anthony England, David Fifita, Liam Finn, Scott Grix, Craig Huby, Tom Johnstone, Ben Jones-Bishop, Danny Kirmond, Reece Lyne, Jacob Miller, Mikey Sio, Bill Tupou, Anthony Walker, Sam Williams, Kyle Wood
