Giants look to feed off celebratory atmosphere at Wolves

Wolves coach Tony Smith has resisted any temptation to make wholesale changes to the side that defeated Leeds Rhinos at Wembley with only England second-row Ben Westwood and try-scorer Tyrone McCarthy omitted for the Super League game at Halliwell Jones Stadium.

That means Huddersfield will have a tough task on their hands as they look for a win they desperately need to fire their form heading into the play-offs.

On their last meeting with Warrington, of course, they were swept aside in the Challenge Cup semi-final, a defeat that ultimately cost head coach Nathan Brown his job following a shocking run of results.

Since then, Paul Anderson has steadied the ship slightly with recent consecutive wins over Catalan and Salford appearing like a breakthrough.

However, a dismal 34-12 home defeat to Bradford Bulls last time out pointed at a worrying return to poor form.

Seventh-paced Huddersfield, who were early season leaders, finish their regular campaign at home to Leeds next week and still mathematically require a point to be sure of a place in the top eight.

But Anderson, who has Scott Moore and Matty Sarsfield replacing Jermaine McGillvary and David Faiumu in his 19-man squad, is refusing to think about the play-offs just yet.

“I know that if we can do some small things consistently well then we give ourselves an opportunity and that is what we have got to look at – the consistency in our game,” he said.

“Wherever we finish is the place we deserve to finish. You have got to give it all you have in the games that you have and, if I’m being honest, what is going to happen in three or four weeks’ time is of no interest to me.

“It is more about what is happening this week. It’ll be a big game and there’ll be some party atmosphere over there.

“We’ve spoken about going to the Halliwell Jones Stadium and enjoying that.

“Hopefully it will be a full stadium because they will be bringing the trophy home. We want to enjoy that atmosphere and use it to go out and perform.”

Warrington, who have already secured a top-two finish, are likely to draft in ex-Huddersfield and England centre Chris Bridge plus Simon Grix – to face Giants’ brother Scott – and Matty Blythe.