Video - Young Giants providing optimism for future success

The Australian hooker, who has taken charge with Danny Brough one of eight first-teamers sidelined, says their young players will now gain some valuable experience.

A raft of them featured against Wigan Warriors last Friday and put in fine performances as the depleted Giants only fell to a late try from Joshua Charnley.

Eighteen year-old centre Sam Wood debuted, 20-year-old Oli Roberts made just his second appearance for the club while Kruise Leeming, 20, Nathan Mason, 22, Jake Connor, 21, and Josh Johnson, 21, all impressed as well.

Hinchcliffe was hardly expecting to be surrounded by so many callow team-mates when he arrived at the top-four side from Melbourne Storm last winter.

Granted, Huddersfield prepare for their third game of the season against early leaders Widnes Vikings still awaiting their first points.

But Hinchcliffe said: “All the young guys really stood up against Wigan and it just goes to show that when you stick to your game-plan it doesn’t matter who you are playing, you can get the job done.

“Unfortunately, we fell a little bit short but we’ve got to really learn from that and we’ll take a lot of positives from it.

“It’s great for our fans to see the young guys coming through like this and that there’s a real future there for the club.

“It will really strengthen our squad from the bottom up and it only bodes well for us in the future.”

Giants were narrowly edged out 13-8 by beaten Grand Finalists Wigan and Hinchcliffe added: “We’ve lost two games but I don’t think we played that bad at St Helens – they just played a bit smarter than us – and the collective effort was really good versus Wigan.

“I was really proud of that. We’ve had two losses but there’s a lot we can take from both of those games moving forward.”

Hinchcliffe looked like he may be the latest casualty when he limped off against Wigan but he returned later in the game and will be fine to lead them out against Widnes if Brough is not fit to resume.

“I copped a little knee in the side of a quad which caused me a few issues in the second half but we have a week off now so I’ll be right for the next game,” said the 31-year-old, who has quickly settled into life in the UK.

“It’s been good here so far, Obviously, it’s a little different style and I’m playing a lot more at nine than I had been in the last few years so I’m learning that again. I’m really enjoying it – both the boys here at Giants and the English crowds.

“They do really get behind their teams and sing and chant. Obviously, we’d like a couple of wins but I’m sure that’s coming in the future.”

Two-try Castleford Tigers winger Denny Solomona heaped praise on the club’s forwards after Sunday’s 40-6 destruction of Wakefield.

The New Zealander grabbed many of the headlines again, especially for his second try – a spectacular one-handed finish in the corner which coach Daryl Powell described as “unbelievable” – but he was mindful of his forwards.

“I think it all comes down to our middle men,” said Solomona.

“They went out there and really did their jobs. They ran hard, tackled hard and us outside men then just did ours by finishing off all that they had done for us.

“It was all the forwards’ hard work; all we needed to do was put the ball down really.”

Prolific Solomona already has three tries from two games this term, stretching his total to 21 in just 17 games since moving from London Broncos last season.

It is Hull FC up next for Castleford, a side who have won both their opening games.

“They are going well having beaten Salford and then winning in France,” said the 22 year-old.

“I have some mates over there, like Mahe Fonua and Sika Manu, and they’re keeping me updated.”