Former Huddersfield Giants hooker Nathan Peats has explained what went wrong for the Giants in 2023, and expressed his belief that they will improve in 2024.
Big things were expected of the Giants prior to this season, but Ian Watson’s side never recovered from their early-season struggles and ended the campiagn disappointingly in ninth place.
Speaking exclusively to Serious About Rugby League about his team’s disappointing season, the former New South Wales representative, who has just recently announced his retirement, explained what was behind their shortcomings.
“I’m not sure what went wrong, in my honest opinion,” said Peats. “We went hard at the start of the season and we came up short by two or one point in a few close games, and as a squad we put our heads down and couldn’t keep at it. We found form later in year but left it too late.”
Coming into the 2023 season, many tipped Huddersfield Giants for silverware following a remarkable campaign the previous year – the 2022 campaign seeing the Giants reach the Challenge Cup Final as well as finish third in the Super League table.
However, Ian Watson’s side failed to deliver on this promise as they failed to make the play-offs, ending the season six points off Warrington Wolves who occupied the final spot in the top six.
Going into more detail during his chat with SARL, Peats believes the quality of Super League as a whole this year was another factor behind the Giants underwhelming season.
“I think 2023 was the closest it’s been for a while over here. When I used to watch the Super League from afar it was always the same teams at the top.
“There was a huge gap between top and bottom but I think this season proved teams are developing well and the competition is getting a lot better.”
With the 2023 season now in the rear view mirror following Saturday’s Grand Final, the focus is now firmly on the 2024 season and though Peats won’t be part of the Huddersfield setup anymore, he highlighted his belief that the Giants will be much improved next year.
“I think in 2024 Huddersfield will do a lot better. If anyone knows Watto (Ian Watson), he holds very high standards and there is a group of players there that can get the job done.
“Having spent a lot of time with these lads and having played and trained with them everyday, they are definitely capable of doing something special because there is a united playing group and coaching staff at the club.” Peats added.
The Giants have already recruited well ahead of the 2024 campaign. They have pinched players from fellow Super League clubs, with the likes of Adam Swift and Andre Savelio from Hull FC, Elliot Wallis from Castleford Tigers and Hugo Salabio from Wakefield Trinity.
With the aforementioned names all agreeing to switch to the John Smith’s Stadium next season, as well as overseas talents Thomas Deakin and Jack Murchie, it is expected that Watson’s side will improve drastically.
As Peats mentioned, the Giants did find some good form at the back end of the season. They recorded some big wins over Catalans Dragons, Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers; however they will need to take that end of season form into 2024 if they wish to finish in the top six.
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