Grix gets Giants fans’ support for filling Hodgson role

The Halifax-born 27-year-old has helped the Giants secure a prized spot in the top-four of Super League heading into tomorrow’s final game of the regular season against Leeds Rhinos at the Galpharm Stadium.

With Hodgson having switched to Warrington, Grix has stepped up to the plate with some impressive performances this season, shining in last weekend’s win over Harlequins.

“I was really pleased to get the award; it’s been a big year for me,” said the Ireland international.

“Everyone knows there was a lot of pressure on me at the start of the year, taking the full-back position from someone like Brett (Hodgson).

“I know that the fans probably had some doubts, so to change a lot of people’s minds and win the award means a lot.”

Confidence is high in the Giants’ camp, and Grix is hoping they can carry that into the play-offs by beating rivals Leeds tomorrow and completing a Super League double.

“I’m sure it will be a really big atmosphere The last time we played them we got a big win at Headingley in what was obviously a big milestone win for the club,” he said.

“They are playing the best rugby I have seen them play for a while and they are in exactly the same spot as we are – they want to hit the play-offs with a bit of form under their belt. It will be a tight game but that will put us in the right frame of mind for the big games ahead.

“One bonus of being knocked out of the Challenge Cup is that you get a week off here and there, it allowed a few of the lads to have a rest and recover from a few bumps and bruises.

“The Harlequins game meant a lot for us in a few different ways. We got a lot of confidence back both as a team and individually and it also meant that we secured fourth spot.

“That was a goal for us but it won’t mean anything if we don’t continue to improve in different areas – we want to head into the play-offs with confidence.”

Hull KR are boosted by the return of stand-off Blake Green, their player of the year, who missed the win over Catalan Dragons through suspension, when they host Castleford Tigers tonight.

That enables Ben Galea to return to the second row, with Rhys Lovegrove making way.

Castleford make three changes to the side that lost at home to Hull, with hooker Daryl Clark, second row John Davies and outside back Jordan Thompson returning in place of Nick Youngquest, Ben Davies and the suspended Ryan McGoldrick.

A packed Craven Park can expect a fierce match with the final Super League play-off spot the prize for the winners.

Craig Robinson is Doncaster’s biggest doubt for tomorrow’s Co-operative Championship Elimination Play-Off with Whitehaven.

Doncaster feared the forward had suffered a broken hand during last week’s 38-14 win at Gateshead. However, scans showed there was no fracture.