Giants seek redemption as McGillvary targets Bulls

Huddersfield winger Jermaine McGillvary is looking for Super League redemption when they meet Bradford Bulls at Magic Weekend.
Captains for the 14 Super League clubs head towards the Deansgate Tram platform in Manchester on their way to the Etihad Stadium for the Magic Weekend.Captains for the 14 Super League clubs head towards the Deansgate Tram platform in Manchester on their way to the Etihad Stadium for the Magic Weekend.
Captains for the 14 Super League clubs head towards the Deansgate Tram platform in Manchester on their way to the Etihad Stadium for the Magic Weekend.

For the Bulls thrashed high-flying Huddersfield – currently second in Super League and in the quarter-finals of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup – 43-18 in March, arguably the low point of the season for Paul Anderson’s team.

But the rivals come face-to-face on Sunday in a 5.15 kick-off at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and McGillvary is determined to make amends for a match he admits his team-mates were “embarrassed” by.

Bradford embarrassed us early on in the season,” he said.

Captains for the 14 Super League clubs head towards the Deansgate Tram platform in Manchester on their way to the Etihad Stadium for the Magic Weekend.Captains for the 14 Super League clubs head towards the Deansgate Tram platform in Manchester on their way to the Etihad Stadium for the Magic Weekend.
Captains for the 14 Super League clubs head towards the Deansgate Tram platform in Manchester on their way to the Etihad Stadium for the Magic Weekend.
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“They put a big score on us, so we’re determined to put in a good performance this week and hopefully get a win.

“They are a good team so it’s going to be a tough game, but we know on our day we can beat anyone in the league.”

And on playing at the Etihad Stadium, McGillvary added: “One of the biggest football clubs in the world plays there so it’s a bit different to normal.

“It is a good event, and all the supporters will be there packing it out, so I can’t wait to play.

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Last time out the Giants beat Widnes Vikings 36-22 on Friday night to maintain the pressure on league leaders Wigan Warriors, although Anderson’s team were unhappy at their defensive performance as they conceded three second-half tries.

“We’re not pleased with the performance as whole,” he said.

“We had a good first half, but we probably slacked off a lot in the second half and they scored some easy tries.

“We’re happy we got the two points, but the performance wasn’t the best.

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“The Leeds game took a lot out of the players. We had a couple of days off after that win, because it was a high intensity game. Any win off the back of that was a bonus really.

“Obviously the performance wasn’t the best but the main thing was getting the two points.”

McGillvary could be on the opposing team on Sunday to his Giants team-mate Jacob Fairbank.

For the 23-year-old forward, on loan at Bradford, has been given permission by Anderson to face his parent club.

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“What Bob needs at the moment is game time, and ideally at Super League level,” said Anderson.

“That’s what Bradford are able to give him, so I’m happy for him to be playing, even if it is against us. I obviously asked Bob if he was comfortable about that and he said yes. That’s what I expected, because every player wants to play.

“I know there’s a chance he could come back to haunt us on Sunday, but that’s the risk you have to take.

“In the long term, if Bob gets the chance to play regularly in Super League at the moment, it will be of benefit to him and to the Giants further down the track. I’m pleased he’s getting the chance to gain more valuable experience at the level he should be playing at.”

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Another Giants player set to feature this weekend is Luke George, who has been allowed to extend his loan at Hull KR after his initial month expired. The 25-year-old winger has impressed at Craven Park and looks set to play against city rivals Hull FC on Saturday afternoon (4.30pm).

“Luke is in the team across on Humberside and they must be happy with him as they wished to retain him for longer which is great news,” said Giants managing director Richard Thewlis.

“RFL regulations mean that after a month the arrangement can be revoked by either party at a days notice so the natural thing is to continue as we are.

“Clubs situations can change quickly as we all know injury and form wise and as we are relatively healthy in the outside backs I think it’s another win win for all concerned that he remains 

representing the Robins for now. In particular the chance to play in the Humberside derby at the showpiece Magic event is something that I am sure Luke will relish and for many of our supporters who have bought weekend tickets it will be a chance to support him live at what I am certain will be a memorable weekend.”

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Following the Hull derby, Warrington captain Adrian Morley is set to make his Super League return against St Helens after three months out with a ruptured bicep.

Morley says he is a fan of the Magic Weekend concept in which all 14 Super League teams play on the same pitch over two days. After being held initially in Cardiff and Edinburgh, the event switched to Manchester 12 months ago.

“As a professional, you want to play at these big stadiums and the Etihad is a fantastic stadium,” Morley said.

With more than 65,000 tickets already sold, this weekend’s event is already guaranteed to top last year’s aggregate crowd of 63,716 and organisers have decided to open the North and South Stands to cope with the demand.

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The action kicks off at noon on Saturday with Catalan Dragons v London and continues with Castleford against Wakefield and the Hull derby. Salford kick off Sunday against Widnes, Bradford face Huddersfield before Super League leaders Wigan tackle champions Leeds.