Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers - Jake Mamo keen to repay faith of Giants boss Rick Stone


The Australian full-back lines up against Castleford Tigers tonight having brought fans some much-needed cheer with his ebullient displays since debuting three games ago.
Mamo, who signed from Newcastle Knights just before Christmas, scored his third try in as many games during last Thursday’s 31-12 win at Leeds Rhinos, the club’s first victory in 10 matches.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHis bow was delayed so long, though, having broken his ankle after an ill-conceived off-field incident in south-east Asia.
“I was on a little off-season trip in Indonesia and had a little accident on a motorbike,” explained Mamo.
“I’ll just leave it at that. I was driving. It’s behind me – I made a mistake, I’ve learnt from it and I won’t do it again.
“I don’t ride bikes generally, it was just a holiday thing.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe exciting 22-year-old, who arrived as part of a deal that saw Joe Wardle move the other way, admitted he has much to thank Rick Stone, the Huddersfield coach who had also been his chief at the NRL club.


“I was yet to sign here when that (accident) happened,” revealed Mamo.
“Stoney was the first person that I called because I had been talking to him before then, and I let him know what happened.
“I guess it was his decision after that whether he wanted me or not, and he did.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“Then it was straight into recovery and rehab and doing my best to get back on the field.


“For him to still get me here after being injured, I definitely owe Stoney a lot. I’ll do my best out there during the games to pay him back.”
With Mamo still recovering from surgery, Huddersfield won just two of their opening nine league fixtures but they hope to start a revival now after last week’s surprise victory.
“It’s never fun sitting on the sidelines and especially when we were struggling during that time, it made it even harder,” he said.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“I felt like I should be helping everyone, but I’m out on the field playing now so I’m just looking forward.
“It’s no secret that we haven’t shown much consistency this year.
“It’s a work in progress and we showed what we can do against Leeds.
“The major thing we’ll take out of that is some confidence and knowing we can do it, and we’ll take that into Castleford.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHuddersfield have not won back-to-back games all year but it might be a good time to face the Super League leaders, who have Luke Gale, Zak Hardaker and Mike McMeeken on England duty and in-form stand-off Benny Roberts sidelined with a groin problem.
Admittedly, Huddersfield are missing winger Jermaine McGillvary, who is also in Sydney to face Samoa on Saturday – Gene Ormsby replaces him – but they do have Kiwi World Cup winner Sam Rapira back from injury and Nathan Mason, too.
Castleford produced arguably their finest performance of the season when they vanquished champions Wigan Warriors 54-4 on Saturday.
Coach Daryl Powell, whose side could move four points clear with another victory, has to make changes but he said: “It is an important game for us and an exciting challenge.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“We are missing a few of our better players so it’s an interesting one. We’ll just crack on with it. We’ve got a good squad out and we’ll go there confident of getting some points.”
France second-row Kevin Larroyer and Alex Foster are set for their first appearances of the season.
Wakefield have been rocked by the news that winger Tom Johnstone has suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Scans have revealed the German-born 21-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Trinity’s win over Catalans Dragons.