Huddersfield Giants 25 St Helens 16: Brough’s brilliance leads Giants to win after he chooses Scotland

National coach Steve McNamara today announces his squad for next week’s contest against the Exiles.

Everyone was waiting to see if he would bow to pressure and finally include the talismanic half-back.

However, after destroying 
St Helens with another masterclass last night, setting up all four of his side’s tries and booting nine points to keep the West Yorkshire club in second place in Super League, Brough categorically ended the discussion.

Asked if he was expected to be named this afternoon, the 30-year-old said: “I don’t want to be in it. That’s definite. I’m not playing second fiddle every year.

“I’m going to play for Scotland if I get the opportunity.

“I’ve spoken to (Scotland coach) Steve (McCormack) and told him I’m available.”

When asked if he had spoken to McNamara – who has played him just once, in the second Exiles game last year – the Huddersfield captain replied: “He hasn’t rung me so I’m not going to ring him.”

Dewsbury-born Brough – who has a Glaswegian grandfather – led Scotland in the 2008 World Cup before being asked to swap allegiances by McNamara two years ago.

He did so, but has never been given a real chance to shine.

Brough has been a stand-out player this term and after he directed Huddersfield so convincingly again last night it is remarkable to think he still cannot be considered as one of the best 20 English players in Super League.

First his astute kicking, continually turning the targeted Francis Meli on the Saints winger’s return after a month out, pinned their opponents back and then Brough’s pinpoint passing took over.

He fired Aaron Murphy over for the first of the winger’s brace on 10 minutes and, after another teasing kick drew a fortuitous video referee decision for Joe Wardle to score, threw a dummy to slide through and send Dale Ferguson in untouched.

Brough also added a penalty and two conversions to establish an 18-0 lead and beleaguered Saints – who have now won just once in eight games – never looked capable of responding, heaping more misery on coach Nathan Brown as he made his first return to Huddersfield.

Of course, Brough could only take such firm control on the back of another menacing pack performance.

Shaun Lunt, the hooker who has advanced so much since last year’s loan at Leeds Rhinos, and the rangy second-row Brett Ferres are others who will feel hard done by if they do not receive call-ups.

Dominant props Eorl Crabtree and Craig Kopczak set the lead while Ukuma Ta’ai, the fearsome Tongan, seemingly ate debutant scrum-half Gareth O’Brien alive with the ferocity of two enveloping hits.

Elsewhere, centre Leroy Cudjoe cemented his England spot while Ferguson was once more authoritative at loose forward and, though Huddersfield did not maintain all of their early momentum, conceding a couple of late consolation tries, this was an impressive ninth win in 10 outings.

Saints’ injury woes continued last night as they stay rooted in the uncharacteristic position of ninth.

Although England hooker James Roby made a welcome return after two months out, Ade Gardner was stretchered off towards the end of the first half following an ugly-looking high tackle from 
Anthony Mullally.

The game was held up for more than five minutes as the winger received lengthy treatment and the incident was put on report although, in mitigation for the Huddersfield forward, Gardner did slip down into the tackle at the last moment. Thankfully, Gardner also recovered in the dressing room.

Shortly before, Saints had crossed through Jon Wilkin on their first real venture anywhere near Huddersfield’s line, Warrington loanee scrum-half O’Brien converting.

That gave the visitors a little belief and it was perhaps why, early in the second half, Brough sensibly tagged on a drop-goal to stretch Huddersfield’s lead to three scores at 19-6.

When he popped up to arc across the Saints defensive line once more, dummying and teasing, Wardle picked a great line to arrow over for his second try on 52 minutes and the job was complete.

Saints, to their credit, rallied with those two late tries from Josh Jones and Jordan Turner, O’Brien converting the latter, all of which will have infuriated Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson.

But how Brown must have mixed feelings; when he was in charge here, he had the foresight to sign Brough from Wakefield just over three years ago yet last night he was left simply wishing he had anyone who could muster even a semblance of such creative quality. Admittedly, England counterpart McNamara is well served in that department with such stellar half-back performers as captain Kevin Sinfield and Rangi Chase, the Castleford Tigers ace who has been producing his own brand of magic of late.

But, still, Brough offers something different as, it now seems, Scotland will find out again at the World Cup this autumn.

Huddersfield, who welcomed back Wardle from suspension as well as fit-again Michael Lawrence, are quickly back in action at Hull KR on Friday.

Huddersfield Giants: Grix; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy; Brough, Robinson; Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, Ta’ai, Ferguson. Substitutes: Lawrence, Patrick, Mullally, Dwyer.

St Helens: Wellens; Gardner, Percival, Jones, Meli; Turner, O’Brien; McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Hohaia, Puletua, Aoliola, Manu, Wilkin. Substitutes: Roby, Walmsley, Clough, Thompson.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield).