Huddersfield Giants’ telling 16-word statement amid huge head coach update

Huddersfield Giants chose to confirm Ian Watson’s exit from the club during Thursday night’s clash against Leeds Rhinos. The Giants, who have been coached on an interim basis by Luke Robinson since Watson was initially stood down earlier this month, were well beaten by Brad Arthur’s side at the John Smith’s Stadium, losing 34-6 as the Rhinos cut loose.

However, the result was overshadowed somewhat by the 16-word statement the club released while the game was going on. The contents of the club message hardly came as a surprise, with ties officially being cut with Watson more than two weeks after he was relieved of his duties.

The timing of the statement was peculiar to say the very least, though, while the succinct nature of it will be enough for many to draw their own conclusions.

“Huddersfield Giants can confirm that head coach Ian Watson has left the club by mutual consent,” the statement simply read.

The initial decision to stand Watson down came following the club’s monthly board meeting and last night’s statement has been the only comment made since, by either party.

Watson had been with the Giants for three and a half seasons, joining the club ahead of the 2021 campaign from Salford Red Devils. He managed to lead the Giants to the Challenge Cup final in 2022 only to watch on as his side were beaten by Wigan Warriors.

With his official departure being confirmed last night, he leaves the club sitting ninth in the Super League table, eight points shy of the play-off pace with just eight games remaining.

Robinson has taken charge of the last three Huddersfield games, with a win over Salford Red Devils coming last week at the John Smith’s Stadium. However, Thursday’s contest against local rivals Leeds was far from impressive as they were simply overpowered.

Aidan McGowan got the Giants on the board early to cancel out an Ash Handley effort, but further tries from Handley, Harry Newman, Matt Frawley, Brodie Croft and Lachlan Miller, handing Leeds a convincing victory.