Huddersfield Giants have produced one of the shock results of the 2026 season, and did so without a permanent head coach to guide them.
Six days prior to their upset victory over Wigan Warriors, the club parted ways with Luke Robinson after 20 months in charge due to a winless start to the 2026 season.
That left the coaching trio of Liam Finn, Leroy Cudjoe and Darren Fleary in charge, whilst Director of Rugby Andy Kelly oversees all first-team matters.
Finn, who is a close friend of Robinson, described the 34-16 win as “bittersweet” given what had played out over the last week and how the unfortunate timing of his sacking came just before the club’s first win.
“[I’m] obviously really happy with the performance,” said the former half-back to Sky Sports post-match. “[We] did a lot of things really well today and obviously put Wigan under a lot of pressure and scored some points, but at the same time really bittersweet feelings and hard to know how to feel after the game.
“[I’m] really pleased with getting the win but obviously feelings with Robbo, my good mate, sat at home watching it after putting in such a hard shift for 18 months.
“The first week that he’s not here we name our 6, 7, 9 and 1 in the spine and it’s a little bit of an extra kick in the teeth for him, but at the same time proud of the lads for turning up. It has been a difficult week, definitely.”
Explaining how the players have reacted to the news of Robinson’s exit and how tough the past few days have been, he revealed: “Yeah, not pleasant, not pleasant at all, but at the same time we’re both professionals and he’s done it in the past.
“I spoke to him during the week and my thoughts and feelings were towards him and making sure he was alright early on in the week. Obviously, he supports me as well the same way but it’s more important that I support him this week.
“Once I went into work that’s just business as usual, you just have to get on with the job as a professional coach or a professional sportsman and nobody acknowledges that any more than Luke.”
Luke Robinson sacked, Hull KR and why it could actually be Warrington Wolves’ year? – click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
