Giants look to take big step forward

The long-serving chairman, who has invested so much energy and finance since taking over in 1996, hopes to see the first aim realised against Leeds Rhinos in tomorrow night’s preliminary semi-final.

If progressive Huddersfield, who finished fourth as the region’s highest-ranked team, can defeat their illustrious West Yorkshire rivals they will move to within 80 minutes of a maiden Grand Final.

They did lose a qualifying play-off 47-0 at minor champions Warrington Wolves last Friday and have endured a concerning fall in form ahead of Leeds’ visit.

But Davy told the Yorkshire Post: “Five years ago we set an objective of becoming one of the top three clubs in Yorkshire and we have finished there this season.

“That’s a position we’d like to cement but ultimately our objective is to become the premier club in Super League.

“We were only 25 minutes away from Old Trafford last season when leading at St Helens but just couldn’t hang on.

“To get back in that position and go better we need to defeat Leeds.

“It’s a massive game for both as it is now sudden-death but we know we have the squad capable of delivering in any situation.

“Last week was a blip – we just didn’t get out of the traps – but the players here know what they must do and none of them want to be looking at breakfast on Saturday morning thinking what if?

“This is our most important fixture yet.”

While Leeds have won four Super League titles, including three consecutive triumphs before Wigan ended their reign last year, Huddersfield have been striving to discover such alchemy.

Under the management of highly-rated Australian Nathan Brown, they have finished third, fifth and now fourth while also reaching a Wembley final in 2009.

However, they now must find the consistency to overcome in-form Leeds’ vast experience and then try to find a way of troubling the top three – Warrington, Wigan and St Helens.

While some doubt they have the capacity to do that, Davy feels it is only a matter of time before the club – which has not lifted a championship in almost half-a-century – turns their rich potential into silverware.

“We certainly see ourselves as a top four club in the competition now and we intend to build on that,” he added.

“We’ve had some challenges this season but at the same time seen some terrific results.

“We’ve got some great players back for Friday’s game and some great players who are already in there.

“This is a good time for Huddersfield Giants to continue making an impact.”

Brown has seen first-choice centres Leroy Cudjoe and Joe Wardle both regain full fitness in time as well as influential back-row Dale Ferguson to strengthen their hand after last week’s debacle.

Leeds, who despite finishing fifth, go in as favourites having won at the Galpharm less than a fortnight ago, were boosted last night when Ryan Bailey successfully appealed a one-match ban meaning he will play.

Coach Brian McDermott believes people should ignore the fiery prop’s maligned reputation and concentrate on his talent, even suggesting he could force his way into England’s plans.

“I think Ryan has been brilliant,” he said.

“He can advance with the ball, get an offload away and create tries while he’s very smart defensively, not just diving tackles but actually stopping people dead.

“He’s got to be somewhere close internationally; he will be up there with some of the best forwards playing at the moment.”

McDermott also ridiculed the Club Call system which allows the highest-ranked team – Warrington – to select their semi-final opponents.

Warrington’s former Leeds and England coach Tony Smith has been scathing of the ‘gimmick’ and says he will take no part in the process.

“It’s just a ridiculous format,” added McDermott. “It doesn’t work for us, it doesn’t work for Warrington, it doesn’t work for anybody. I agree with Tony.

“I’d stick my head in a bucket of sand and say tell me when it’s finished and we’ll go play a game of rugby league.”

Warrington gained the ‘honour’ of choosing their next opponents – first introduced in 2009 – after finishing top of the table and winning their opening play-off.

Chairman Steven Broomhead will make the announcement on Sunday evening after the second preliminary semi-final between Wigan and Catalan Dragons.

Bradford Bulls captain Andy Lynch is today expected to join Hull FC who are prepared to pay a fee for the under-contract prop – 32 next month – while England coach Steve McNamara has confirmed the fitness of Wests Tigers forward Gareth Ellis for the Gillette Four Nations Series.