One Huddersfield Giants signing has admitted to a tough pre-season but vowed to “change the perception” of the club in 2025.
Zac Woolford is one of four NRL signings made by Huddersfield Giants ahead of the 2025 Super League campaign but the former Canberra Raiders man is well aware of the challenges facing the club.
The Giants recorded a second-consecutive ninth-placed finish in Super League last season, a stark contrast to their 2022 campaign that saw them place second and make it to the Challenge Cup Final.
As they aim to kick on from that, there has been plenty of change including a new head coach in Luke Robinson who stepped up late last year from his assistant role, whilst a host of signings have been made.
They will compliment players such as Tui Lolohea with the Tongan playmaker set for his fourth season at the John Smith’s stadium, and this time around he wants silverware.
Speaking on the Sportsman Rugby League YouTube channel, the 30-year-old said: “We’ve got Luke as the new head coach and a couple of new S&Cs and some new players so there’s a lot of new people in so it’s baby steps.
“I think Luke has done a great job, there’s a lot of teaching and coaching and we’ve got a lot of young players in our squad so I’m excited.”
Huddersfield Giants signing hoping to “change the perception of our club” after tough pre-season
Credit: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Another player who is excited about the young and fresh element at Huddersfield Giants is start signing Tom Burgess with the England international’s three-year deal confirmed before the 2024 season even started.
He outlined how he plans to have an impact at the club with the ex-South Sydney Rabbitohs star keen to take on a leadership role.
“I’m more of a lead by example, try and do the right thing and bring players together (type of player),” he said, adding: “I’ve learnt through my career how to do that and how important it is for successful teams.
“For me, it was more about the opportunity to go and help a team improve. I wanted to come over and do something over here, not just make up the numbers. I saw a squad at Huddersfield with potential.”
Burgess is keen to get the Giants back in the hunt but fellow NRL signing Woolford is certainly banging the drum for that as he spoke on the positive influence of Luke Robinson and what the club’s goals are.
The hooker knows plenty about the club given that his father, Simon, used to coach the team and that was a major factor in his signing.
“He thought that I would benefit under someone like Robbo and so far he’s been spot on,” the ex-Canberra hooker explained.
“He thought Robbo would be really good for me and my development and that has proven right so far.”
On those season goals and the pre-season so far, he conceded it has been tough but asserted the players are intent to “change the perception” of Huddersfield Giants.
Woolford said: “Training has been really competitive, everyone is trying to earn their shirt and that can only lead to good things. Hopefully, we can get to Round One with everyone healthy and we can change the perception of our club.
“It’s been tough. A couple of the boys in the halves have had a few little niggles. It’s obviously going to take a little bit of time, that sort of stuff doesn’t happen overnight. No doubt, we’ll have to work on that but it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
