My way or don’t play, Anderson warning to Giants

Anderson was fast-tracked into the job following the Giants’ decision on Monday to sack Brown, just 24 hours after their Challenge Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Warrington.

Brown revealed in Sunday’s post-match press conference that he had bowed to pressure from the players to change both personnel and the game plan after a disastrous run of results that saw the team plunge from top spot in Super League to seventh.

Anderson’s first decision was to give his players Tuesday off and yesterday he delivered a no-nonsense lecture in which he made it clear he would not stand for player power.

“We’ve had a good meeting this morning and, if I’m being honest, I did all the talking,” said Anderson at his first official press conference as a head coach.

“My simple theory on it is, if they don’t respond, then they won’t play. I’ll bring someone else in to do it. They’ve been told that today.

“They know the black and white approach that I’m going to give them. If there’s things in the game they don’t want to do, then they’re telling me they don’t want to play.

“They welcomed what I had to say. I’ve had a fair response. They did a lot of listening and nobody had a problem with what I said. We moved on and we had a good training session.”

Anderson, who was due to start his three-year contract in November when Brown officially joins St Helens, will prepare the side for Sunday’s home game against Wakefield single-handedly but is now hoping to fast-track the appointment of his assistant Kieron Purtill.

“My position has been accelerated by a few months and I want to try to bring Kieron in as well,” he said.

“It’s in the plans, the chairman is going to try and make it happen.”

Meanwhile, Anderson is confident his players will be in the right frame of mind come game time on Sunday.

“Once we get to game day and the week settles down, I can start to enjoy it but at the moment it’s all hands on deck,” he said.

“Monday was a down day because it wasn’t what I wanted to happen but, as sad as we are with what’s happened, the competition will not stop for us.

“I have to prepare the players to the best of my ability in the period that I have with them. We’ve just got to get everybody pulling in the right direction.

“I’ve been through this as a player and as a coach a couple of times. At the end of the day they are paid professionals,

“Things will change. On the field it won’t change dramatically instantly because that’s not the right thing to do. I’ve got to get them doing the things that are in place better.

“I will tweak things as we go along but, mark my words, in time it will be Paul Anderson’s style of play which the players will buy into.”

Hull FC are poised to sign St Helens’ out-of-favour winger Jamie Foster on loan.

The goalkicking three-quarter scored 330 points in 28 appearances in 2011 but lost his place when head coach Royce Simmons left the club in March, since which time he has been restricted to reserve duty. Hull turned their attention to Foster, who turns 23 next week, after Ben Crooks became the latest player to join their lengthy injury list.

“Saints can confirm they are in discussions with Hull FC over the potential loan of Jamie Foster,” said a club spokesman.

“The duration of the loan would be for one month initially.”

Foster could make his debut in Monday’s Hull derby at Craven Park.

Meanwhile, Hull have confirmed that 18-year-old full-back Matthew Russell has returned to Wigan after spending the last two months on loan.

Russell made six appearances for the club, filling in for the departed Wade McKinnon but found his chances limited following the signing of Castleford utility back Ryan McGoldrick and the return from injury of Richard Horne.

Hull director of rugby Shaun McRae said: “We thank Matthew for his efforts whilst on loan with us where he has certainly impressed and showed us all why he is such a promising raw talent.”

Castleford hooker Ryan Hudson is to retire at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old former captain is in his second spell with the Tigers after stints at Wakefield and Huddersfield.

“I am ready for a change,” he said. “My body feels okay but mentally I’m ready.

“I’m excited about the future. We’ve launched the elite rugby academy and I’ve also a few other options.”

Castleford chief executive Steve Ferres said: “I’d like to wish Ryan a happy retirement and hope that he continues to be involved in our great game.”