THE NUMBERS GAME: VS SALFORD

All the stats that you need to know ahead of our trip to Greater Manchester to face the Salford Red Devils on Sunday afternoon.

By Jack Robinson

This Sunday we face another huge game in our bid for survival, as we travel to the Salford Red Devils, where we won 36-18 just over a month ago. We currently sit two points above the dreaded drop zone, whilst the Red Devils are two points behind 5^th place, in the race for the playoffs.

Aussie playmaker is the star man

Half-back Jackson Hastings in the Red Devils star man, the Australian won’t be at Salford much longer though, having agreed to join the Wigan Warriors next season. The 23-year-old has started all 24 Betfred Super League games so far this season for the Red Devils, he has scored seven tries, as well as supplying a competition high of 31 assists so far in 2019.

.@JackoHastings The Playmaker 🍿

4️⃣ Assists
1️⃣ Try
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣ metres

Contender for the @StevePrescott1 MBE Man of Steel? 🤔 #ManOfSteel pic.twitter.com/IqT6WsE3uT

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 5, 2019

Hastings is also the third highest metre maker in the competition this season, making a total of 3040 metres so far in 2019, an average carry of 6.71 metres per carry. Hastings also leads the carries in the Betfred Super League so far this season, with 453.

Metres will be key in close contest

A Darnell double ✌️

Two tries for @darnel_mcintosh in @Giantsrl's win last night 👏 pic.twitter.com/ILb60vQMqd

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 5, 2019

Last time out, the Salford Red Devils beat the London Broncos 58-28 in the capital, a result that also benefitted ourselves as we maintained our two point gap above them. Eight members of the Salford side managed to get an average gain of ten metres or more in the capital.

Average metres gained by Salford players v London Broncos (04.08.19)

Tui Lolohea – 18

Jake Bibby – 11

Gil Dudson – 11

Josh Jones – 11

Jackson Hastings – 11

Forward’s experience will be key to our chances

Veteran forward, Ukuma Ta’ai has been with us since 2013 and has seen it all with the Giants, winning the league leaders shield in his first season at the club.

Ta’ai has featured in 22 of our 24 Betfred Super League games so far this season, scoring once and setting up two more tries. He has made 1803 metres in 2019, with an average gain of 7.39 metres per carry.

The forward has also made 594 tackles in the Betfred Super League so far this season. He has also made 56 tackle busts so far, as well as making 94 marker tackles.

Huge defensive effort needed

Three weeks ago, we took on Hull KR in a massive game for both sides, as we look to drag ourselves away from the dreaded 12^th place. A huge defensive effort went a long way to helping us secure the two points at the KCOM Craven Park.

Most Giants tackles made v Hull KR (15.07.19)

Alex Mellor – 38

Michael Lawrence – 36

Adam O’Brien – 32

Adam Walne – 30

Ukuma Ta’ai – 27