Huddersfield Giants head coach Luke Robinson has spoken at length about the club’s injury issues as well as those who could soon return.
Robinson also spoke about this weekend’s game in Las Vegas, confirming that he feels like he’s missing out as he did on his own stag do due to an England call-up, with the Huddersfield Giants boss revealing that owner Ken Davy is very keen to head stateside.
Wigan take on Warrington Wolves on Saturday night with that game being the first of four as rugby league takes over Las Vegas and that’s something that’s a huge positive according to Luke Robinson.
“I think it’s amazing for the sport,” he said when speaking at his weekly press conference.
“You’re always going to get the naysayers who want to keep it on the M62 and I am a massive believer about growing it from the grassroots in the heartlands but I really like the fact that we’re going global and pushing it everywhere else as well.
“If we can touch o.01% of the American population, media and sports betting companies then I’m all for it. I think it’s an amazing concept.”
Asked about the prospect of the Las Vegas strip being taken over by Huddersfield Giants fans in the future, Robinson revealed that the club’s owner is very keen on the idea.
He said: “I think Ken (Davy) is a really big advocate of it, Ken likes the thought of going over there so it’s not a pipe dream to say Huddersfield could be part of it if you listen to Ken.
Huddersfield Giants coach talks injury issues ahead of Hull FC clash
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Before those Vegas games on Saturday night and in the early hours of Sunday morning, Huddersfield host Hull FC with the Giants looking to pick up their first win of the season.
Huddersfield named their 21-man squad with Robinson confirming that those who are fit are in the 21, whilst new signing Taane Milne is named despite only just arriving off the plane from Down Under.
“We just don’t have the scope (to make changes) at this moment in time,” Robinson confirmed.
“There are some lads near the squad but it’s the younger end. It’s where we are at the moment, the boys that are fit are the ones who are in the 21.”
As for Milne who has been Down Under for the birth of his first child, Robinson explained just how improbable it is that the former South Sydney Rabbitohs man plays.
On Milne’s chances of featuring on Friday night, Robinson said: “Very slim but while there’s a chance (we picked him). With slim pickings at the moment, it was a case of if there’s a slight chance of getting him on the field but he has literally just landed and got off the plane.
“He’s also still in his rehab stage as well. It wasn’t just a case of him going home for the birth of his first child but he’d had a knee clean-out at the end of last year so we’ve got to get a check on him and make sure the knee is stable.”
He also confirmed that Harry Rushton, who failed a HIA in Round One, remained unavailable, explaining: “He didn’t pass the first section in time to go through his return to play. By the time he’d passed his head test, it was too late to get him past the other stages and have him return to play.”
Round 3 ready 😤#Since1895 pic.twitter.com/ZstcZOMug1
— Huddersfield Giants 🐮🔔 (@Giantsrl) February 26, 2025
Whilst this week it’s still somewhat of a bare bones squad, Robinson explained that there could be some significant boosts next week with Adam Clune among those.
Asked about the prospects of some returnees, Robinson said: “Very close, there’s rainbows and a bit of light on the horizon. Cluney trained with us for the first week since he left in September so that’s really good news and he’s made a massive difference to training even in limited drills.
“He potentially could be next week if all goes well. Sutcliffe is not too dissimilar or he could be the week after. Halsall comes into contention the week after. Taane Milne has just got off the plane so the physios need to see him before we push him but he could be next week.
“It feels a little bit like the start of the season for us.”
