Huddersfield v Salford.

It’s been a difficult few weeks for Huddersfield Giants. Very poor form saw Ian Watson lose his job as head coach with former Salford scrum half Luke Robinson taking over for the mean time. Sport can be very ironic at times, Watson worked wonders at Salford taking the club to a Grand Final and a Challenge Cup final. Although we didn’t win either the club made very good progress and it certainly put a smile back on the supporters faces. That night at Wigan in the playoffs will always be remembered fondly. I don’t know the ins and outs of Watson’s departure from Salford in 2020 and I don’t really want to know. It’s a shame the way things turned out at the Giants for him buts that’s sport I suppose. You don’t become a bad coach overnight though and I am sure Ian Watson with the knowledge and experience he’s gained over the years will be back working in Rugby League soon.

Salford were well beaten in Perpignan last Saturday by Catalans. The Red Devils never really looked like posting any points in what was a disappointing performance. Despite the Dragons leapfrogging us in the League table we are still in a very good position four points in front of Leeds. With some crucial matches coming over the next month or so the race for the playoffs will be very exciting.

One player who will be missing this week is young Australian Loghan Lewis who failed his HIA on Saturday. He was in the wars prior to that in one or two very tough tackles. After a whirlwind start to his Salford career the fearless Lewis will get a much needed break to get himself back to fitness.

Super League away record.

Huddersfield 12

Draws 0

Salford 16

1998 Huddersfield 12 Salford 16

1999 Huddersfield 24 Salford 10

2000 Huddersfield/Sheffield 10 Salford 18

2001 Huddersfield 24 Salford 32

2001 Huddersfield 35 Salford 14

2004 Huddersfield 26 Salford 14

2004 Huddersfield 28 Salford 22

2005 Huddersfield 26 Salford 10

2006 Huddersfield 32 Salford 18

2006 Huddersfield 24 Salford 18

2007 Huddersfield 16 Salford 18

2009 Huddersfield 4 Salford 24

2010 Huddersfield 52 Salford 4

2011 Huddersfield 52 Salford 22

2012 Huddersfield 36 Salford 10

2013 Huddersfield 46 Salford 4

2014 Huddersfield 10 Salford 36

2015 Huddersfield 12 Salford 18

2016 Huddersfield 24 Salford 26

2017 Huddersfield 20 Salford 30

2018 Huddersfield 12 Salford 30

2019 Huddersfield 14 Salford 34

2020 Huddersfield 16 Salford 24

2021 Huddersfield 8 Salford 9

2022 Huddersfield 34 Salford 2

2022 Huddersfield 0 Salford 28 (play off match)

2023 Huddersfield 8 Salford 32

2024 Huddersfield 16 Salford 18

They played for both.

Steve Kerry, Danny Arnold, Greg Austin, David Bradbury, Jodie Broughton, Ryan Clayton, Gavin Clinch, Greg Eden, Simon Finnigan, Matt Gardner, Lee Gaskell, Martin Gleeson, Bobbie Goulding, Darrel Griffin, Josh Griffin, Neil Harmon, David Hodgson, Graham Holroyd, Andy Johnson, Phil Joseph, Craig Kopzack, Michael korkidas, Tommy Lee, Martin Moana, Chris Nero, Robbie Paul, Luke Robinson, Jordan Turner, Adam Walne, Paul White,Stephen Wild, Luke Yates, Theo Fages, Jake Bibby, Harvey Livett, Josh Jones and Tui Lolohea.

A match to remember Sunday 16th August 1998.

Huddersfield 12 Salford 16

The 1998 season had began with much anticipation after a solid season the year before. Coach Andy Gregory made some exciting signings and the club were confident of finishing high up the league table. An excellent run in the Challenge Cup took Salford to the Semi Final where a heart breaking defeat to Sheffield Eagles seemed to shatter dreams of the players and supporters. After that the season took a real nose dive and we never really recovered.

Huddersfield were promoted along with Hull at the end of the 1997 season. The Giants struggled to adapt to life in the top flight winning just two matches all season. This game was a real close one though with Salford youngster Simon Svabic making a real impression with an impressive performance.

After a high profile transfer from St.Helens, Bobbie Goulding bossed the show for the Giants. The match was frantic at times but both sides defended well and chances were limited. Scott Naylor grabbed two tries for Salford and scrum half Josh White also crossed for a try. Svabic held his nerve to kick two conversions and Salford just about hung on for a 12-16 victory.

This victory sparked a mini revival for the Reds who drew the following week 18-18 at Sheffield Eagles before returning to the Willows to beat London 23-20.

In a disappointing season Salford finished 11th with 6 wins from 23 matches.

The teams that day:

Huddersfield, Arnold, Bunyan, Weston, Hanger, Belle, Orr, Moxon, Neill, Russell, Wittenberg, Berry, Richards, Sturm.

Subs, Goulding, Jackson, King, Field.

Salford, Broadbent, Svabic, Naylor, Hassan, Rogers, Lee, White, Southern, Edwards, Eccles, Highton, J Faimalo, Hulme.

Subs, Randall, E Faimalo, Forber, Savelio.

Attendance, 2,932

Friday’s match.

After plenty of dismal performances Huddersfield showed major signs of improvement on Saturday in a narrow defeat to Leigh. The previous week a 48-0 hammering at Warrington cost Ian Watson his job. Watching the press conference after that match I felt sorry for Watson. You could see the strain and pressure he was under but surely the players hold some sort of responsibility. Watson seemed to protect his players in his interviews but despite his admiration for some of Warrington’s star players the Giants have plenty of big players of their own. Jake Connor and Tui Lolohea to name but two are both vastly experienced players who’ve played at the top level for a long time. Both have big reputations and get plenty of plaudits. I’ve not seen all the Giants matches in 2024 but it looks like they’ve let the club and the supporters down. In Ken Davy they have an owner that has done so much for the club and he’s deserves better.

Salford have a terrific record in this away fixture at Huddersfield with just one defeat in the last twelve visits which is pretty remarkable compared to our Super League away record at other teams.

The Giants have recalled popular forward Matty English from his loan spell at Castleford. English has always impressed me with his no nonsense go forward and tough tackling. Last Saturday’s defeat at Leigh came at a cost for Huddersfield as they lost Sam Hewitt to a head injury and Andre Savelio was sent off. The big news earlier this week saw Luke Yates join Warrington for the rest of 2024 for an undisclosed fee. Yates had already signed for the Wolves for 2025 and it came as a surprise him leaving early.

Salford are still missing centres Tim Lafai and Nene McDonald. As previously mentioned Loghan Lewis will also be out.

You would expect a response from the home side after the change of coach and the bookmakers are expecting a very close contest with the Giants having a two point start on the betting coupon.

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos and the Salford match day programme.