Phil Clarke questions Jake Connor decision

Last night Jake Connor came off the bench to make his second Huddersfield Giants debut.

Connor started his career at the club before joining Hull FC in 2017. After six seasons at the MKM Stadium, Connor has now returned to the Giants for the 2023 season and coach Ian Watson hopes he will be the difference between being contenders as they were in 2022 and being winners in 2023.

However, after surgery, Watson was unwilling to start Connor even after the loss of Tui Lolohea.

That said, it is a decision Phil Clarke disagreed with saying on Sky Sports:

“It’s hard to beat St Helens in a game of rugby league, it is even harder when they’re in front.

“Hence the reason, if he is one of your star players, the maverick star player that we think he is and we think he can unlock this St Helens side, you start him.

“If you think he only has 40 minutes in his legs then get to halftime then bring someone else on.”

Meanwhile former Huddersfield man Kevin Brown had his say on the matter:

“He’s a match winner. He looks in great shape, that’s the first thing. Sometimes, Jake Connor has looked really big, but he is looking fit and I think Greg Brown the Head Conditioner at Huddersfield has done a terrific job after his injury. He is going to be dangerous.”