Huddersfield Giants boss Ian Watson explains decision to take Tui Lolohea and Ricky Leutele off the field as he reveals big news on Theo Fages

Huddersfield Giants took on Wakefield Trinity at the John Smith’s Stadium tonight.

Innes Senior was the first on the scoresheet, running 80 metres home after being set free by Ricky Leutele, but Wakefield turned the screw to dive over next.

Yusuf Aydin was able to crash over next to the posts off a brilliant Jordy Crowther pass with Mason Lino converting.

Will Pryce added a penalty goal for Huddersfield after the visitors were caught offside, but Wakefield had the last laugh of the first-half with Kelepi Tanginoa galloping over from 40 metres out off a superb Lino pass.

Lino couldn’t convert, but Wakefield went into the break with a 10-8 lead.

That being said, the Giants were the first on the scoresheet in the second-half when Senior grabbed his second following a fine move, but Wakefield hit the lead once more with a quarter of the game left.

A brilliant Jacob Miller kick through was pounced on by Matty Ashurst as the visiting Trinity fans – who turned up in their droves – were sent into raptures.

Pryce managed to send over a penalty with three minutes to go before Olly Russell missed a drop-goal in front of the sticks.

With the game into golden point, Huddersfield received the ball first and, after a superb Russell bomb was dropped by Lee Kershaw, Huddersfield were awarded a penalty – much to the chagrin of the travelling Wakefield supporters.

Pryce duly obliged with nerves of steel as the Giants took home a 16-14 win.

Winning head coach Ian Watson enthused about his side’s performance, but gave credit to Wakefield too.

“I thought we were really good, and I thought Wakefield played really well and they had nothing to lose. They played on the back of their pride, they threw a lot at us and they shifted the ball – they offloaded,” Watson said.

“They were forcing things they wouldn’t normally force but we kept turning up and defending situations which we probably wouldn’t have normally faced.”

Watson was also full of praise for matchwinner Pryce who enjoyed a brilliant game at halfback.

“We know he ha got ability and he is going to develop into a great player. All these things he’s faced out there today are great learning experiences. He needs to go through those in games and he’s come out of those nailing it.

“I threw a lot of curveballs with Josh Jones and Chris McQueen in the centres, Ash Golding going to fullback, we are showing the mentality we should have for the play-offs.

“Momentum is a big thing and today wasn’t about the winning it was about the performance and sticking to our processes and beliefs.”

Watson gave an update on whether Theo Fages will be back in time for the play-offs.

“He’s been out there running today and we will see where we get to. Everything looks positive for Theo.”

The Huddersfield boss also explained that Tui Lolohea was unhappy about being taken off.

“It looks like we’ve come through unscathed. Tui was a bit upset he was being brought off. I thought he was really good and he was creating things.

“He was one of the best players out there, it’s about us being right for the play-offs.”