Super League star set for surprise position change
Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers Picture by Ed Sykes/SWpix.com - 10/03/2023 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League Round 4 - Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers - John Smith s Stadium, Huddersfield, England - Huddersfield Giants Tui Lolohea celebrates with team mates after scoring their fifth try Huddersfield England Copyright: x xSWpix.comxt/axPhotographyxHubxLtdxEdxSykes/SWpix.comx
As Huddersfield Giants continued to struggle this season, Ian Watson said that the Giants were playing with three fullbacks.
He was referencing Tui Lolohea, Will Pryce and Jake Connor who formed a makeshift spine as the Giants dealt with injuries.
Before the return of Theo Fages, he said during the Giants’ struggles:
“We’ve got three fullbacks playing at the moment so maybe it is more my fault in selecting them but they’re not thick players.
“When you’re playing wet weather rugby, you have got to be smarter. It’s just not working at the moment.
“We’re desperate to have Theo Fages or Olly Russell back out there to give us some more control. But the disappointing thing was some people just weren’t competing, they just thought it wasn’t them but it’s a team game.
“You have to put your ego away and do the right thing. Look at Hull KR, there’s no egos there. They’re all working really hard and doing the right. They deserved it.”
Fages returned last week and gave the Giants better balance against his former side.
But it posed an interesting question about what to do with these three fullbacks.
Pryce started at fullback and Connor continued in the halves.
Lolohea meanwhile was dropped to the bench but came on in a surprising new role: hooker.
It was a role he flourished in having a number of key involvements.
It will be interesting to see whether he remains there.