Huddersfield Giants strongest XIII for 2025 after signing third Souths star

Huddersfield Giants have confirmed a third NRL recruit in Taane Milne making their strongest XIII for 2025 a lot more interesting.

After finishing just ninth in 2024 and seeing a head coach axed, it’s fair to say that Huddersfield Giants will be keen to finally get back to the heights of the 2022 season that saw them place third in Super League and make the Challenge Cup Final.

Despite finishing ninth in the past two seasons, the 2024 campaign saw the Giants ten points shy of the play-offs as opposed to just six points short in 2023.

The club would also concede over 100 points more across the season meaning there’s an evident task for Luke Robinson to address.

He’s already overseen signings such as Jacob Gagai and now Taane Milne with both backs arriving from South Sydney Rabbitohs, but how does their recruitment shape their strongest XIII for 2025?

What Huddersfield Giants’ strongest XIII looks like for 2025

Full-back: Jacob Gagai

Gagai signed from Souths after debuting for the club in 2024. He’d play on the wing in the NRL but he’s been handed the number one which signifies a key position switch as the Giants look to replace Jake Connor.

Wingers: Adam Swift and Sam Halsall

Adam Swift could be like a new signing for Huddersfield this year given the electric pace at which he started the 2024 season before his injury. He’ll return and it’s likely that Sam Halsall will occupy the opposite wing.

Centres: Taane Milne and Liam Sutcliffe

Two new signings feature in the centres with Milne being the most recent to arrive. He can also play in the second-row with Jake Bibby strong cover at centre but it’s likely that Milne and Sutcliffe start the season as a formidable duo.

Half-backs: Tui Lolohea and Adam Clune

Now that Jake Connor has left for Headingley and Olly Russell has made the move to Wakefield, it means there is a clear starting partnership in the halves with the experienced duo of Tui Lolohea and Adam Clune to lead the Giants around the park in 2025.

Hooker: Zac Woolford

Assisting Lolohea and Clune will be NRL recruit Zac Woolford who will fill the boots of veteran Adam Milner. The former Canberra man has recently arrived in the country to get a full pre-season under his belt.

Props: Oliver Wilson and Tom Burgess

Tom Burgess is among the biggest signings across all of Super League with the England international returning to the comp for 2025. He’ll be a huge teacher for players such as Oliver Wilson who has been handed the number eight shirt and could start alongside the ex-NRL man.

Second Row: Jack Murchie and Sam Hewitt

Another two selections following the shirt numbers but there’s a packed bench that will be pushing this duo. Murchie will be hoping for better luck with his fitness this year whilst Sam Hewitt could develop further.

Loose Forward: Leroy Cudjoe

Cudjoe made the move from centres into the middle and cleaned up at the end-of-season awards after an incredible campaign. With no Luke Yates, he could play loose forward in 2025 and continue his impressive Huddersfield Giants career.

Bench: Ashton Golding, Matty English, George King and Harry Rushton

Ash Golding is one of the most versatile players in Super League and he heads up a bench including new signing George King and both Matty English and Harry Rushton. The likes of Jake Bibby, Joe Greenwood and others will be knocking on the door here.