Robinson: Giants ready to be called upon if needed

Huddersfield Giants head coach Luke Robinson says his side will be ready if the opportunity arises to compete in the play-offs.

Regardless of their result against Wigan in Friday’s final regular season game, the Giants will finish seventh in Super League and therefore be put on standby to be called into action should one of the top six teams competing for the title be struck down by Covid-19.

It’s a unique position to be in but Robinson says his side’s main aim right now is finishing on a high against the Warriors.

“The way that I’ve spoken to the boys about it is that it’s an opportunity,” he said. “We’ve got to, first and foremost, put a really good performance in against Wigan and hope we get the win, and from thereon it’s an opportunity.

“There’s been a lot of twists and turns this year and you never know what’s going to happen from day-to-day, week-to-week, so there is still a high possibility that we could be taking part.

“We just see it as an opportunity to play really well this week, put ourselves in a good position and if things do transpire that we get an opportunity then we need to be ready to take it with both hands.”

Friday’s game could turn out to be Robinson’s last in charge of the first team, after having spent the past two months as interim head coach following the departure of Simon Woolford.

The off-season will give the Huddersfield board a chance to appoint someone permanently and while Robinson hopes he’ll be in the running, he won’t be too disheartened should he not get the job.

“Of course I want to become a head coach,” he added. “Would I be gutted if somebody else came in above me with experience that’s going to make this team better and make me a better coach? No.

“I understand that I’ve only been a coach for four years, which in coaching terms (means) I’m still an infant really.

“So if somebody comes in and makes this club that I care about better, makes this group of individuals better, makes me a better coach, then I’m just going to be thankful for the experience.

“I’ve taken a lot from it, I’ve really, really enjoyed it. There’s been some difficult times. This has probably been one of the most testing times to be a coach in the history of the game, so to come in at this time is going to be a really beneficial learning tool for me.”

In regards to team news, Robinson also confirmed that young forward Ronan Michael will make his Super League debut against Wigan on Friday.