Huddersfield Giants v Hull KR - Jordan Turner back in the old routine

The former Hull FC centre is, indeed, set to feature there against Hull KR as the West Yorkshire club strive for three wins from three since interim head coach Luke Robinson took charge.

Although Australian scrum-half Aidan Sezer has rightly grabbed the headlines for brilliant displays in those wins against Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers, bringing in versatile Turner alongside him has proved a masterstroke.

The 31-year-old has added balance, poise and calm to Huddersfield, who have been missing the influential Lee Gaskell to a broken thumb and had been on a six-game losing run prior to Simon Woolford’s exit.

However, although the Jamaica international made his name as a centre and has played the bulk of his career there, he says it was only the influence of an unknowing teenage Sam Tomkins that led him down that path.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Turner explained: “I do love playing as a ball player.

“It seems to come around in my career that I have to end up playing in the halves and I get asked if I’m enjoying it.

“But what most people don’t realise is that it’s my natural position; I’d never even played centre up until one game with Lancashire Under-18s.

“I’d been playing quite well during the year in the halves and managed to get the spot at six for them so Sam Tomkins was actually on the bench.

“I knew they wanted to get him on so in the second half, when they did, I ended up going to centre. But I scored a couple of tries and from then on everyone thought I was a centre.

“I saw I could make something of being that position, though, so I always tried my hardest and seemed to make a bit of a career out of it.”

That is an understatement; Turner is now in his testimonial campaign, having amassed more than 300 games, including winning the 2014 Grand Final with St Helens when, coincidentally, he was pressed into action at half-back from loose-forward following Ben Flower’s infamous attack on Lance Hohaia.

Talking about why he loves playing in the middle so much, he added: “It’s the natural side of my game where I can get involved when I see opportunities.

“Whereas at centre I’ve got my role and that’s it, at half I’ve got the freedom to read the game and manage them which is more to my strengths. I know that Luke likes the fact I can bring that to the side and he’s keen for me to continue to do that in some form of capacity.

“I’ve always been the type of person who likes to know what other players do in other roles.

“As a kid, I always used to study the game and I’m more a rugby player than an athlete.

“I don’t hold it against anyone for not making my name as a half. It is what it is.”

England star Tomkins, of course, went on to establish himself as a world-class full-back rather than No 6.

Gaskell hoped to be back for tonight’s contest but he was not included in Robinson’s 21-man squad.

Turner, who joined Huddersfield from Canberra Raiders in July 2016, said: “It was quite a significant operation that Gasky had and I don’t think he’s been out of his pot very long.

“I think it’s a case of wrapping him in cotton wool as he’s quite an important player for us and if we’re there or thereabouts at the end of the season it’ll be important we have him ready and firing to go.

“If we’re going to be knocking on the door for Old Trafford, it’d be pointless bringing him back at the minute if he was to break down again.”

Turner is a fan of Robinson’s input after the 36-year-old assistant coach stepped up to replace Australian Woolford. “Two wins from two is just the reaction needed. We’ve had a new lease of life and we’re growing in confidence now; we’re setting some targets to be around that top-four when November comes.”

Robinson has certainly brought some zip to Huddersfield’s play and Turner continues: “I played at Salford with Luke for two years – 2006 and 2007. He was actually my room-mate on a pre-season camp in Jacksonville.

“He used to tease me a bit but he did look after me in those couple of years. We’ve been good mates for quite a long time.

“He has all the credentials; everyone can have structures but man-management’s a big skill that all successful head coaches have nowadays.

“He’s got that and some good relationships here that he’s worked hard to build.”