Huddersfield Giants interim boss Luke Robinson "proud" on his opening win

The Giants legend, 36, only took over yesterday after Simon Woolford hastily left the club.

But the assistant coach oversaw a terrific 29-6 win over Wakefield Trinity today to help them end a five-match losing run.

Robinson, the former England scrum-half who made more than 200 appearances for Huddersfield, witnessed playmaker Aidan Sezer take firm control as Giants recaptured the sort of form that saw them top Super League before lockdown.

On his emotions afterwards, he said: “I’m extremely proud.

It’s a club I hold dear to me; it’s been mine for a number of years.

“I've not taken it lightly and telling my little boys I’ll get to coach Huddersfield has been great.

“You never want to take it on under these circumstances. Simon’s a friend and my job was to assist him.

“But on the flip side of it to actually coach the club was a very proud moment.”

Giants had already confirmed on Monday that Australian Woolford would not be in charge in 2021 but matters escalated quickly yesterday when it was announced he would leave with immediate effect.

“When a club and coach decide they no longer were going to stay with each other, I think the writing is on the wall,” said Halifax-born Robinson.

“Did I expect it yesterday? No. It was out of the blue the day before we played.

“We had to get on with things but - as I explain what happened - it was very difficult.

“We were supposed to train at 10 o'clock in morning and some players had got over the Pennines - from the dark side - when we had a message from the RFL that a Leeds player had Covid.

“So we had to postpone training while we waited for track and trace and the boys went off to multiple coffee shops as they weren’t allowed to be together!

“Then the announcement came that Simon and the club had parted ways….

“Half hour later, the RFL said we could train but four of them can’t play; three starting players and one bench man.

“We had a quick meeting but basically had half-hour to organise myself and get the team ready so saying it was surreal is an understatement!”

Asked if he would like the job on a full-time basis, the former Wigan Warriors player said: “I’ve got ambitions and aspirations as a head coach just like everyone else

“I understand I’ve escalated a bit quicker - I’ve only been doing it four years - but I believe in myself and know I'm a good coach.

“It’s something I did when I was 21 at Salford (Red Devils). I was already coaching Siddal then, my ameatur club in Halifax.

“And I’ll be back coaching all my three kids there at Siddal tomorrow - I’m coaching the Under 5s at five!

“Whether it happens or not (Giants job) who knows?

“My firm focus is to get the type of rugby we were playing pre-lockdown.

“I do believe in the players. They're an incredible group of people first and foremost and really good players.

“My main focus is trying to get back to that style and brand of rugby.

“Obviously everything happened very quickly.

“Until I get told otherwise, I’ll just do the job.

“It’s a big cliche but this game is about inches. We’ve lost three games by just one point since coming back. We’re a good rugby league team.”

Australian scrum-half Sezer, 29, was outstanding as Giants destroyed a Wakefield side who have now lost six successive games.

Robinson said: “He’s a fabulous player.

“I said to him before the game I’m very privileged to be his coach.

“His knowledge of the game is incredible and he has a lovely skill-set.

“But what I say about him when people ask me is he makes players around him better and that's really testament to him as a persona and character. He instills confidence into everyone else.”