Huddersfield Giants 4 Warrington Wolves 60: Giants put on horror show in front of cameras

REIGNING 'Man of Steel' Brett Hodgson was forced to endure a painful afternoon as his Huddersfield Giants side were ripped apart by in-form Warrington Wolves.

Australian Hodgson was helpless to stop Warrington – the club he will be joining at the end of the season – run in 12 tries in one-way traffic at the Galpharm Stadium.

The 32-year-old, who made a surprise comeback ahead of schedule from injury, even produced an uncharacteristic fumble in front of his posts to gift Wolves a try in this one-sided televised encounter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It contributed to a performance Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown labelled as "the worst day in my short time at the Giants."

Centre Chris Bridge ran in five tries, Chris Hicks picked up a hat-trick and there were further tries for Ryan Atkins, Richie Myler, Chris Riley and Mickey Higham to crush the hosts' hopes of avenging last year's 25-16 Cup final defeat at Wembley.

Substitute Martin Aspinwall managed to prevent a whitewash but it was little consolation for Brown, who denied speculation over his own future – he has been linked with a return to Australia at the end of the season – plus the loss of the talismanic Brett Hodgson had contributed to Huddersfield's demise.

"We could make that up as an excuse if we like," he said. "But some of the players were probably as bad as they've played for many years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"In the modern game, when you are playing a very good side and things are not going well for you, the scoreboard can tick over like that.

"We can't blame anybody else. As head coach I'm going to take my share of responsibility and the players probably need to hold some accountability as well.

"It was quite an embarrassing day. The basic fundamentals were very poor. We had a fair few people who put in performances I've never seen in my time at the club.

"It's going to be a huge challenge for everyone next week."

The Giants, unlike Wembley, got off to a positive start and put the visitors under pressure. Winger Leroy Cudjoe came close to giving Huddersfield the lead but was bundled into touch before grounding the ball.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At the other end, opposite winger David Hodgson had to be on his toes to pick up a dabbed kick, with Hicks in close proximity.

But when the Huddersfield winger lost possession near his line, Atkins clattered over for a 14th-minute try and Ben Westwood added the conversion.

There was little indication of what was to follow but David Hodgson's afternoon got worse four minutes later when a hopeful kick from Lee Briers looked a comfortable take for the winger.

But the ball took a freak bounce and cleared Hodgson, allowing Chris Bridge to nip in and ground the ball. Westwood converted and also added the extras to Myler's 22nd-minute try which left the home supporters stunned.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hicks and Bridge went over for tries in the corner, before Huddersfield finally came to life in the 38th minute, some excellent passing sending Brett Hodgson away and his pass wide to Paul Whaturia looked like bringing the home side's opening score but he was nudged into touch as he looked to squeeze over.

The Galpharm announcer was greeted with sniggers at the interval when he gave out details of last night's quarter-final draw in case the Giants were able to recover in the second half.

And although a fightback looked unlikely at 26-0, Aspinwall sneaked his way over at the start of the second half to offer a glimmer of hope to Huddersfield. But it was only a brief interlude in the nightmare, as Brett Hodgson spilled a simple pass in front of the posts and Bridge accepted the gift to score.

That just fuelled the visiting fans' glee as they taunted Giants fans at the imminent defection of last year's Man of Steel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The conversion put Warrington 32-4 ahead but it just got worse for Huddersfield.

Next, Danny Brough was the culprit, his pass was intercepted and Bridge raced away from his own half for his hat-trick.

It was too much for some home fans and they headed for the exits as Myler kicked through for Bridge to score before Riley coasted over in the corner. Briers kicked both conversions.

It was just a matter of how man tries Warrington wanted as Hicks twice went over in the right-hand corner, before Higham capped a fine passing move to cross on the left.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ben Westwood added four conversions, Lee Briers two, to complete a miserable afternoon for the shell-shocked Giants.

Warrington coach Tony Smith said: "Things fell for us today. One of those days when everything comes off.

"I feel for my opposing coach as I'm a good friend of his and they're a better side than that.

"We've all been there and had a share of that at different times and today was our day.

"We caught them on the hop but the players earned that."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Huddersfield Giants: B Hodgson, Cudjoe, Lolesi, Whaturia, D Hodgson, Brown, Brough, D Griffin, Robinson, Mason, Gilmour, Raleigh, Faiumu. Substitutes: Crabtree, Aspinwall, Grix, Horne.

Warrington Wolves: Mathers, Hicks, Bridge, Atkins, King, Briers, Myler, Morley, Monaghan, Harrison, L Anderson, Westwood, Grix. Substitutes: Higham, Wood, Solomona, Riley.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Martin Aspinwall

It was tough to find a positive for Huddersfield on a miserable afternoon, but at least the Giants substitute prevented a whitewash when he crossed at the start of the second half.

Villain: Brett Hodgson

Endured a terrible 80 minutes against the club he will join at the end of the year, but he was not the only culprit among the woeful Giants.

Key moment

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

12th minute: The video referee awarded Ryan Atkins Warrington's first try and it simply opened the floodgates.

Ref watch

Phil Bentham: Penalised the Giants continuously, but only the most ardent Huddersfield fan would say that influenced the result.

Verdict

Huddersfield had the best defence in Super League last year, but you would not have known it on Saturday as they froze in front of the BBC cameras.

Quote of the day

It's definitely a sad day, the worst day in my short time at the Giants. Everyone's embarrassed and devastated.

– Nathan Brown, Huddersfield Giants coach.

Next game

Huddersfield v Wigan, Sunday, May 16, Galpharm Stadium, Super League.