News
14th June 2017
MCGILLVARY EXCITED FOR ST HELENS SHOWDOWN
Jermaine McGillvary also discusses his Giants 500-point milestone.
Jermaine McGillvary spoke to giantsrl.com and previewed Friday’s clash against St Helens at the John Smith’s Stadium, kick off 8pm.
The Giants head into the match with back-to-back Betfred Super League wins and McGillvary is pleased with how the team has performed in recent weeks:
“It’s a big opportunity to cement ourselves in the better half of the table and I’m really excited for the match. St Helens are a class team and I’ve just watched a video now and they look really good. If we put in the same effort as we did on Saturday then we’ll run them close or win the game.”
“We’ve had a few good performances but unfortunately we couldn’t get the results. A win like the Warrington match was always coming and we built upon that against Catalans. They probably aren’t doing too great but when they’re at home they have a hostile crowd and are a strong team.”
“To put on a performance and result like that was really good. It was 30+ degrees and the forwards put in a class performance. If they do the same again they will help us backs to score the points.”
Since becoming St Helens Head Coach, Justin Holbrook has chalked up three wins from four and, like Giants, are beginning to climb the table:
“In his first game in charge at the Magic Weekend they were outstanding,” said McGillvary. “They’ve kept their standards and played a bit differently, he’s got them loving rugby again so it will be tough against a solid team.”
Huddersfield-born McGillvary also recorded his 500th point in Claret and Gold colours as he scored two tries in the 56-12 win against Catalans but revealed that he didn’t realise until after the match:
“Honestly, I did not know anything about the 500 points, I just said thank-you to the people who congratulated me. It’s one of them where you look back on when your career is finished. At this moment in time it doesn’t mean too much to me but in the future it will mean an awful lot”.
It was the first time the Giants chose to fly out to Perpignan and return on the same day and McGillvary believes that it had a positive influence on the result:
“The first time I did that was with England in the Four Nations. I really like that. You tend to find when you’re there for a long time you eat the hotel food and feel like you’re on a holiday, especially at this time of year.”
“You forget to prepare properly for the game when you eat ice-creams. But when you go straight in and out it’s much better. I thought the forwards set the platform for us and it helped us to get the points. It was really good.”
The Giants sit 8th in the Super League and know that they can further cement their place in the Super 8’s and have it in their own hands:
“We have to take each week as it comes. The 23-game week cut off is coming soon and hopefully we’re in the mix come the end of the season.”
“I look at the table every single week, whether we win, lose or draw. Especially with the form that we’re in, it’s not good if you’re in that Middle 8’s. I probably shouldn’t but I look at the table all the time but all we’ve got to do is go week by week and try and get the results to climb up the table.”
The Giants now have three wins from their last four matches and McGillvary believes the return of several first team players has been key to the current form of the team:
“It does help having a consistent team, having top players on the side-lines is tough. There’s no excuse because other teams have the same misfortune and cope well.
“It helps me personally having an international centre on the inside and to just have quality Super League players in general. Hopefully Ukuma Ta’ai comes back this week or next week then Michael Lawrence hopefully isn’t too far off and that will put us in good stead.”
Huddersfield Giants host St. Helens at the John Smith’s Stadium on Friday 16th June, kick-off 8pm in the Betfred Super League.
Fans can get their tickets from the John Smith’s Stadium Ticket Office or online and can save £3 on matchday prices by buying in advance by 12 midday on the day of the game.
With the club’s click and collect service, supporters can purchase their tickets online and pick them up on match day from the designated Ticket Office collection window with no booking fee.
2017 Season Ticket holders can also ‘Bring a Buddy’ to the clash. Giants Season Ticket holders have two vouchers located within their booklets so they can bring an adult friend for just £15 or over 65s/under 23s for £10.
Advance prices are:
Adult - £21
Over 65s/Under 23s - £15
Juniors (under 16) - £5
Under 5s – FREE OF CHARGE
Wheelchair - £15 with PA FREE
Ambulant and visually impaired - £21 with PA FREE
Match day prices:
Adult - £24
Over 65s/Under 23s - £18
Juniors (under 16) - £8
Under 5s – FREE OF CHARGE
Wheelchair - £18 with PA FREE
Ambulant and visually impaired - £24 with PA FREE
The John Smith’s Stadium Ticket Office is open 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday, supporters can also purchase their tickets online or call the Ticket Hotline on 01484 484 123.
