Huddersfield Giants have named a much-changed squad to face Leeds Rhinos and Luke Robinson has explained why with a double injury blow confirmed.
After a heavy defeat to Wakefield Trinity, Robinson explained that he was always likely to make changes, however, those have been forced as opposed to him being able to drop players.
Centre Taane Milne has been handed another ban whilst forwards Oliver Wilson and Matty English are both out with injuries, the latter of whom will head for a scan.
Robinson also shared the sad news that club captain Leroy Cudjoe misses out after the passing of his grandmother, with the funeral set to take place on Thursday when the Giants are scheduled to face Leeds.
“Taane has obviously been banned so he’s out of the equation,” Robinson said in his presser as he began explaining the squd changes.
“(Oliver) Wilson has had the same problem that he’s had for a long time where he’s been carrying a little bit of a pubis injury, which sort of flares up and it’s flared up again.
“Matty English has been carrying a wrist injury and he’s going for a scan today to find out the severity of that as he’s been struggling a little bit.
“Then really unfortunately, Leroy Cudjoe’s grandma died this week and the funeral has been arranged for Thursday so unfortunately, we’re without our captain.”
Huddersfield Giants boss assesses Leeds Rhinos’ Grand Final chances
Robinson also confirmed that one of those young players named in the squad may not actually feature given the fact they’re facing an Operational Rules Tribunal for an offence committed in a reserve match.
He explained: “Logan Blacker might be a change as he’s got a judiciary appearance with the RFL tonight and that looks like he might be coming out of the squad but you never know.
“There’s definitely some changes but it wasn’t a case of making them after a real poor result, it’s more forced. We’ve been going alright over the last two months and that was very disappointing but the changes have been forced, rather than anything else.”
As for Thursday’s opponents, he was asked if he views them as potential Grand Final winners and despite labelling them as the form team in the competition, Robinson wasn’t certain.
“They have the potential to win it, they do have the potential,” he admitted.
“If I were a betting man then I’d be very hard pushed to go against Hull KR or Wigan. St Helens, when their forwards play really well, I think they’re going to cause an upset.
“I’ve said before, St Helens forwards are probably the most dominant in the competition and I can see them causing problems for teams.”
He added: “It’s really hard to look past Hull KR, it’s really difficult to go past them and now that Bevan French is back in the Wigan side, it’s hard to look past them.
“Leeds, on their day and with the way they’re planning, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
