Huddersfield Giants interim coach Liam Finn has pointed to confidence as a major issue at the club following their loss to Warrington Wolves, with the Giants collapsing to ship 28 points in the first half.
After a really competitive opening 10 minutes, Niall Evalds dropped a pass which was scooped up by Albert Hopoate with the Wire winger running in to score. From there, the onslaught continued and Huddersfield found themselves 28-0 down at the half before eventually losing 34-4.
Speaking post-match to Sky Sports, Finn credited his side for showing resilience in the second half, but he was clear on the fact that the game had already been lost.
Finn said: “The team talk at half-time was a tough one with the game pretty much gone. I think it was about how we responded and how we fronted up in the second half.
“We knew it was going to be a really tough second half with the players that we had left to get out there. We only had one sub to make, and I thought, effort-wise, in terms of turning up for each other, they did themselves proud in the second half, even though it wasn’t pretty.”
One of the reasons why Huddersfield only had one sub is a fresh injury to Adam Clune (hamstring), whilst both Fenton Rogers and Niall Evalds failed head injury assessments with the later failing on account of not wearing the instrumented gumshield.
Explaining that, Finn said: “He obviously got a head injury, and then if you’re not wearing the gumshield that records the head injury, you can’t come back on regardless of whether you pass or fail the head injury assessment.”
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Huddersfield Giants interim unclear on future
As for Adam Clune, who has been key when Huddersfield do have good ball, Finn confirmed that he didn’t have any further information on the halves’ hamstring injury.
“I’ve got absolutely no idea at the minute,” Finn said, adding: “We’ll have to get that assessed. I haven’t even managed to speak to Cluney, because obviously there were other things to sort out at half-time, but I’ll get a check on him when I get in the changing rooms.”
With a week off for the Challenge Cup, Huddersfield must now reassess before a run of tough fixtures that starts with games against St Helens and Leeds Rhinos.
On the club’s next steps, Finn admitted: “We’ve just got to keep working hard on competing in training and try and build that confidence, because clearly confidence is a major issue.
“We started the game really, really well, probably the best start we’ve had in the last five and 10 minutes in, we’re on top of the game. There’s obviously one error, one sort of unlucky try goes against us, and then we completely lose our confidence and momentum for the next 20 minutes and ultimately the game.
“We’re working hard in training, building our reps and keep pushing to build confidence, because you don’t magically get confidence back, you have to earn it.”
Prior to the game reports circulated that Daniel Holdsworth, assistant coach at Cronulla Sharks, could be in talks for the Huddersfield Giants job but Finn was unable to offer any insight.
When asked if he’d be leading the club on Thuesday, 14th May, he admitted: “I don’t know, to be honest. I couldn’t answer that question if I wanted to.”
It’s a @WarringtonRLFC win in Round 10 🐺#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/P4bkJ8orQF
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