Anderson opts for proud Brough to lead Giants as successor to Brown

Since he took charge following Nathan Brown’s sacking in July, and stripped Kevin Brown of the role, the armband has been shared around numerous contenders.

A leadership group comprising Brough, Eorl Crabtree, David Faiumu, Scott Grix, Luke O’Donnell and Luke Robinson was put in place but, ahead of Sunday’s final home game against Leeds Rhinos, Anderson said: “I’ve now settled on Danny Brough as my captain and Luke will assist him as vice-captain.

“Both are in the leadership group, both are internationals and both have the respect of all within our camp. The responsibility of being captain is a large one at this club and I’m sure that Danny will get great support from the fans as well as his team-mates in the role.

“He is a very proud man who will lead with his actions on and off the field and, ultimately, his hunger to win is something that I expect to see all my players demonstrate as he consistently has this year.”

There is no doubt he will have the backing of the club’s fans come Sunday given Brough, 29, won the supporters’ player of the year award earlier this week.

The question now is whether he can inspire a return to form for the misfiring Giants as they bid to enter the play-offs in any semblance of decent condition.

Meanwhile, France captain Olivier Elima is joining the exodus of players from Bradford Bulls after announcing he is to rejoin Catalan Dragons.

The 29-year-old second-row, who played for the Perpignan club from 2008-10, has signed a two-year deal to return to France from next season. Elima is one of 17 Bulls players out of contract at the end of the season and the third to confirm his departure.

Tom Burgess is joining his brothers at South Sydney and Ben Jeffries is returning to Australia to become a coal miner, while Ian Sibbit is expected to retire.

Former Rochdale Hornets coach John Stankevitch is free to return to rugby league after he paid outstanding fines to the RFL and saw his suspension lifted by the game’s governing body.