Huddersfield Giants

Huddersfield Giants set for huge injury boost after coach slams ‘rubbish attack’

by
Sam Cook
May 20, 2025

After losing 34-0 to Hull KR, Luke Robinson has labelled Huddersfield Giants’ attack as “rubbish” but confirmed a star is set to return and possibly remedy that.

Huddersfield picked up their first win of the Super League season against Hull FC at Magic Weekend but they could not overcome the East side of the city as Hull KR beat them 34-0, despite leading just 4-0 as they approached the hour mark.

When the Giants’ defence was breached in the second half, it completely burst as they shipped three tries in six minutes and 30 points in just 20 minutes.

Assessing that, Luke Robinson pointed to his side’s “rubbish” attack and their inability to create pressure to relieve their huge defensive efforts.

“I think the game was there to be taken really at about 50 odd minutes in. The game was still in the balance,” Robinson explained post-match at Craven Park.

“I thought we defended great first half. They put us under a load of pressure, they’re obviously a really good side. I thought we defended really well, but I just thought our attack was rubbish. I think that’s what really hurt us in the end.”

Huddersfield Giants’ discipline and “clunky” attack costs them versus Hull KR

Hull KR were far from their best for the first 60 minutes and when they did turn it on, Huddersfield effectively collapsed after exerting themselves in the first hour but Robinson still aired his frustrations at how blunt his side’s attack was, and how they started the second half.

He explained: “I spoke to the lads about utilising the wind in the second half and putting them under a little bit of pressure the same way they did us, regarding our discipline with the ball and without the ball.

“We dropped the ball in the first set of the second half which was just the total opposite to what we spoke about, what we wanted to do. I just think with the ball we just didn’t apply any pressure whatsoever.”

Mikey Lewis and Kelepi Tanginoa were highlighted as the major problem causers for Huddersfield but Robinson was more focused on what his side didn’t do, as opposed to what Hull KR did do.

He argued: “For us to be in that game still was testament to them and how hard they worked. The frustrating thing is I just felt like if we could have got a grip of the game, had a little bit more patience and a little bit more pressure, I think we would have won that game. I think the game was there to be taken.

“I think Hull KR gave us enough opportunity themselves to actually steal that game from under the noses in the second half but we just coughed up way too much possession. I thought the attack was clunky.”

Tui Lolohea set for return

That “clunky” attack could be boosted next week with Robinson confirming that Tui Lolohea is set to return with the playmaker likely to replace young Kieran Rush and partner Adam Clune.

Whilst Robinson will obviously welcome back one of his star players, he made a point to highlight that it will not be an immediate fix given how little Lolohea and Clune have trained together, let alone played.

Robinson confirmed: “Tui Lolohea is going to be back next week potentially. We’re starting to get a spine, but it doesn’t automatically click straight away. We’re very fortunate to have them back in the side but they need a little bit of time to get the combinations because they’ve had no training whatsoever with each other.

“We need to get on board with it quick because we can’t keep giving teams so much possession, so much field position and not actually put them under any pressure because inevitably it’ll hurt us.”

The Huddersfield boss went in again on his spine and called on them to step up and help build pressure, though he did admit that they couldn’t control the offload decisions of others.

He explained: “It’s definitely a collective thing but inevitably your spine are the ones, that’s what they get paid for and they’ve held their hand up in the changing rooms afterwards and said that we think we could have done a slightly better job of controlling that game. I think they will in the future and I’ve got every confidence in them.”

Robinson also assessed George King’s Huddersfield Giants debut as “decent” given how long the Ireland captain has been on the sidelines, with his return being another positive to take.