Giants want to send off Rapira with a win

DANNY BROUGH says the best way to celebrate his 300th Super League game will be to send off Huddersfield Giants team-mate Sam Rapira on a winning note.
Sam Rapira.Sam Rapira.
Sam Rapira.

The Scotland captain reaches the significant personal milestone tonight when the Fartowners face Leeds Rhinos in their final game of the season.

Huddersfield can no longer reach the Super League semi-finals after heavy back-to-back defeats at Salford Red Devils (52-14) and St Helens (40-16).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, stand-off Brough says they want to round off their campaign with a derby victory especially as tonight is also ex-Kiwi prop Rapira’s final game before joining French club Toulouse.

“Sam’s been a great professional for us and he’s become a good friend of mine,” he said, about the 30-year-old who has spent the last two seasons with Giants.

“We’ve tried to look after each other along the way, he has a good family, has been a quality front-row for us and is a massive signing for Toulouse.

“We wish him all the best – but want to send him out on a high first.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On his 300th Super League game, Brough added: “I didn’t actually know it was coming up until it got mentioned today (Thursday).

“It’s not something I’ve ever thought about but it is a good milestone to reach.

“It’s a decent effort. And I’ll be looking forward to my next game with Scotland after this.

“Leeds will be wanting to build a bit of momentum to go into next week’s semi but we want to send our fans off with a win.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There’s two proud teams going up against each other and hopefully we can get the performance we want.”

Brough, who made his Super League debut with Hull FC in 2005, has made 201 top-flight appearances for Huddersfield alone since joining from Wakefield Trinity in 2010.

He featured 37 times for Hull, made a further 10 appearances for Castleford in 2006 and then 51 for Wakefield between 2008 and 2010. Meanwhile, ex-Bradford Bulls head coach Francis Cummins is back in rugby league.

The former Leeds and Great Britain international will become Widnes Vikings assistant coach when leaving Doncaster Knights at the end of the month.