Ian Watson reveals contract offer to Huddersfield Giants star and selection plans heading towards Challenge Cup Final

Huddersfield Head Coach Ian Watson was delighted with his side’s win over Wigan tonight in a dress rehearsal for their Challenge Cup Final showdown in two weeks’ time.

Both sides rested players for the fixture which led to the game being a “a weird one” in Watson’s view. He would go on to explain, “The amount of changes both teams had it was probably going to feel like that any way but I thought the way we approached it and the mentality going into the game was outstanding.

“I thought there were some guys who’ve stood up there and shown real good performances. I’d highlight Sam Hewitt. I think he was outstanding.”

This of course could leave him with a selection headache going into the final and Watson addressed what his thinking might be in the weeks ahead: “I think the guys who played in the semi-final put their hands up and performed. I think tonight we wanted to show everyone how good our squad is and that it could win even when we do make changes. Sam Hewitt gave his chances the world of good and gives us a bit of a headache.

He did, however, dismiss any notion that the win tonight could give them a psychological advantage in the final at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium: “No I don’t think so, I just think with the amount of changes, today was is its own occasion. Come two weeks, it’s a different mentality all together.”

So, Watson believes tonight’s game was its own entity in which his star players stood up to win the game one of them being Ricky Leutele who he revealed has been offered a new contract by the Giants as he approaches the end of his current deal: “We’ve offered him one so hopefully he’s staying where he is. We love Ricky, so we’ve offered him a contract, we want him to stay here.

“I thought he was outstanding tonight.”

He was also keen to put some focus on the game against Toulouse next week as the Giants have ambitions to continue their form in Super League as well as winning the cup: “When the final’s over we want to be in a good spot in the league. We want to make a run for the play-offs. So, this win is a big big win.

“Toulouse next week will be a big game.”

He also confirmed that he would be playing a full strength side in that fixture: “All those guys who were rested will come back in because they need a game to be ready. If there’s anyone who has got a knock or is at risk, they might come out but other than that we’ll go full strength next week.”