Huddersfield Giants v Leeds Rhinos: Liam Finn in dark over future ahead of latest interim assignment

Whether it is format changes or the coaching merry-go-round, the landscape is constantly shifting.

Two months into the 2026 campaign, four clubs are on the lookout for new head coaches.

Huddersfield Giants began their search on March 22, understandably keen to take their time after a difficult spell under Luke Robinson.

Liam Finn was handed the reins on an interim basis and has overseen an upturn in form, aided by the return of key personnel.

But after two wins from as many games, the former Dewsbury Rams and Halifax Panthers boss is still in the dark about his prospects of landing the permanent job.

Asked if he'd had any conversations with the Huddersfield board since formally applying, Finn replied: "No, I haven't.

"I'm comfortable trying to do my job to the best of my ability. They'll come to speak to me when they're going through the process. I'll wait and take their lead on that.

"I think I've been clear that it's something that I want to do. It's a goal of mine to be a head coach in Super League. It's something I'm definitely interested in."

Huddersfield’s situation is an example of patience within the coaching churn.

The Giants can ill afford to make another misstep at a time when their Super League standing is being questioned.

For his part, Finn is beginning to feel like he belongs at the top level.

"I haven't enjoyed the circumstances behind it but I've enjoyed doing the job," he said.

"You never really know if you're good enough to be a head coach in Super League until you've walked in those shoes. Doing it at a different level, you do think it might be a bit different as you move up the levels and get into Super League.

"But ultimately, it's not really. It's the same job, dealing with a higher level of personnel and athletes.

"It's the same as you'd tell a young lad making his debut – it's just a game of rugby league dressed up a little bit differently."

Those conversations happened at a faster rate than the Giants would have liked during Robinson's tenure.

But the injury problems that blighted his time in charge have eased since his departure.

The return of Niall Evalds and Adam Clune has helped bring about a change of fortunes for Huddersfield.

"It's a bit of everything," said Finn, who welcomes back Harry Rushton and Sam Halsall for Friday's visit of Leeds Rhinos.

"Those two are obviously massively important, certainly organisationally in attack. Cluney takes a major lead on that side of it, which frees up Tui (Lolohea) and Zac (Woolford) to play their natural games.

"Niall is part of that process in attack and, like most full-backs, is the leader of the defensive organisation.

"You've got two blokes there who take a major lead with and without the ball. That makes a big difference.

"There are other things around that, like getting the win at Wigan and the confidence that gives you. They all accumulate."

All of a sudden, a trip to the Accu Stadium has the look of a testing assignment for the Rhinos.

Brad Arthur would expect the best of Huddersfield regardless of who is at the helm.

"I don't want to talk about coaches because that's a little bit unfair," he said.

"The new coach has done a great job and Robbo did a great job, too. It was just unfortunate around injuries.

"They've got some players back on the field now and I think that makes a difference to performance – the depth of your squad.

"They're playing pretty free and open and with a bit of confidence. You can see what it does when you get a couple of players back into your team.

"They're back at home after two wins and are going to be right in the contest and come after us.

"That’s what we want. It's a bit of a badge of honour for us that every team comes bringing their best game. That can only make us better."

While the Giants have only the recent wins over Wigan Warriors and York Knights to show for their efforts in Super League, Leeds have kept pace with the early competition leaders despite a wobble at Hull FC.

Arthur is comfortable with how the Rhinos are tracking after seven rounds.

"I thought we started the season really well and jumped out of the blocks quickly in rounds two and three," he said.

"We flattened out a little bit. Our discipline for a game (away to Hull) was poor and our team identity. I'm pretty sure that was a one-off. We responded pretty well on the back of that into playing Warrington who are one of the form teams in the competition.

"At the moment we're travelling OK – better than OK, we're going good – and we're healthy. We've still got a fair bit of improvement in us, which is great."