Sky Sports pundit claims Huddersfield Giants struggles are down to “being spoilt for choice” in the halves

Last night’s game saw Huddersfield Giants extend their winning run to three as they defeated Hull FC and continued their late season charge towards the playoffs, something Leeds Rhinos did in 2022 as they made it to the Grand Final.

It’s an unexpected position for Huddersfield with Ian Watson’s side one of the pre-season favourites to challenge near the top of the table, but with eight games left of the season they still sit tenth.

That’s in spite of owner Ken Davy’s pre-season declaration that this squad was the ‘best he’d had’ whilst owner of the side.

Their pre-season acquisitions including Jake Connor would potentaiilly suggest that but therein lies the problem that the Giants have had all season, what to do with so many spine players?

It’s no coincidence that their form has taken a sharp upturn now that they’ve established a settled one, six, seven and nine and that was something Watson alluded to last night leading Sky Sports’ Brian Carney to reference their war chest of playmakers.

“I’ll pick up a point Ian Watson’s made there, when you’ve got a settled spine you can play better as a side. You’re not entitled to have a settled spine throughout the year, injuries do happen in the game.

“He as well has not had a settled spine because of choices he has made. He has decided, or has been undecided, as to who his first choice in the halves are, who his first choice at half-back is, and even now, who is first choice at hooker.”

Former Hull FC and Hull KR playmaker Paul Cooke then referenced the early season inability to find Jake Connor’s true role.

“He started with Jake Conner playing in the halves when he came back, and then he moved him out of the halves and put him in the reserves to play full-back because he wanted to get around the field more,” Cooke explained.

“I think now that he has settled on it, he’ll look a lot better. I think he can change a hooker but the other three, your one, six and seven are massive. If you can keep that settled spine, you won’t go far wrong with results.  Salford particularly have had a settled spine now for almost two years.”

One former player who is in an incredibly successful side that had key spine players for over a decade was Jamie Jones-Buchanan and the seven time Grand Final winner suggested Ian Watson was in fact spoilt for choice, to his detriment.

“They’re spoilt for choice. You’ve got to find that formula and work out which ingredients are the best.

“Obviously Will Pryce is the one that’s missing out on the minute, he’s been out a while since he’s played.”

With Pryce set to head down under to the NRL and strong reports suggesting that Theo Fages, who was named in the 21-man squad but not the matchday squad, could be headed to Catalans then it’s possible that Watson has found his one, six and seven in Connor, Lolohea and Russell.