Cudjoe happy to step up as depleted Giants head to Wigan

HUDDERSFIELD Giants centre Leroy Cudjoe firmly believes his side can win at champions Wigan Warriors in the play-offs even without their first-choice half-back pairing.
Leroy Cudjoe.Leroy Cudjoe.
Leroy Cudjoe.

Results over the weekend meant the West Yorkshire club finished the regular campaign in third spot and, so, will go to second-placed Wigan on Thursday.

It looks likely they will have to do so without captain Danny Brough, the reigning Man of Steel who missed Friday’s dramatic 
17-16 victory over St Helens due to a swollen testicle.

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Dazed scrum-half Luke Robinson was then led off in that game, too, following a high shot from Alex Walmsley that saw the Saints prop being red-carded in the first half.

Ex-England international Robinson, therefore, will probably miss the trip to one of his former clubs as well but Cudjoe remains undeterred.

Nineteen-year-old Jake Connor stepped up admirably in Brough’s absence while Cudjoe himself switched to stand-off to help out once Robinson departed and looked more than comfortable, even delivering the crucial match-winning drop goal.

He told The Yorkshire Post: “There’s no reason why we can’t go there (Wigan) and win.

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“We’ve got a very talented squad with some good young players and those who come in will do a great job.

“It was really good to win a game without our first choice one (Scott Grix was also injured), six and seven; that’s only given the boys more confidence and belief.

“I have played a little bit of six before. I don’t really see myself as a stand-off but if needed I’ll go there. I don’t train much in that position either but if needed in games I’ll slot in. I don’t mind.

“A trip to Wigan is exciting. They are a good team but to be the best you’ve got to beat the best and we are confident we can go there and get that result.”

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Huddersfield, of course, did win 24-8 at Wigan on the opening night of the season back in early February yet went on to win just once in their next seven games.

It makes the fact they have finished as high as third quite a feat but much of that is down to their current run of seven games undefeated making them Super League’s most in-form side.

Granted, Huddersfield did lift the League Leaders’ Shield last season, finishing top for the first time in 81 years, but fell one step short of a maiden Grand Final appearance when losing at Warrington.

England international Cudjoe, though, believes they are now in a better place to attack.

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“Going in to the play-offs on the back of some good form gives us confidence and belief while third is a good considering how our season started,” he added.

“But more importantly the games at Warrington (24-24 draw less than three weeks ago) and against Saints will give us good practice for what’s to come.

“I believe the matches we’ve played have actually put us in a better position than we were last year.

“Having to play big games at the back end of the year is what you need to be battle-hardened to go into the play-offs. It will only benefit and ready us for it.”

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Meanwhile, the 26-year-old confirmed his coolly-taken drop goal to deny Saints - and secure Huddersfield’s top four berth – was his first in more than 150 games of senior football.

“I wasn’t sure myself what I was going to do,” he said, with hooker Shaun Lunt having initially looked like going himself.

“I was just being an option for Lunty but when I received it I just went with my instinct.” added Cudjoe.