Takeaways: Huddersfield 32-12 Catalans

As we kick off the 2020 Super League Season with a win, we take a look at the main talking points from the action.

The south of France was a happy hunting ground for Giants on Saturday as they ran out 32-12 winners.

Ahead of “The Homecoming” against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday, we look at 5 things we have learned from that impressive victory over Catalans Dragons.

Experience is still key

Huddersfield may have their fair share of exciting young players within their squad, but it is their contingent of more experienced players that will help them be successful.

The first two tries for Giants on Saturday were scored by Joe Wardle and Jermaine McGillvary, giving them the platform to eventually win the game.

Wardle also helped in defence and alongside club stalwart Michael Lawrence, the pair made more than fifty tackles throughout the eighty minutes.

There will be certain players getting the headlines from this game and throughout the season, but it will be the unnoticed work of these types of players that will be a major help in the long-term.

𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕣𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕤 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕧𝕚𝕓𝕖𝕤 ✌ pic.twitter.com/1Lacm3mPSt
— Huddersfield Giants (@Giantsrl) February 4, 2020

No half-measures in Game One

Naturally, one of these names that got all the attention from Saturday is Aidan Sezer who impressed hugely on debut.

After a shaky conversion attempt early on, Sezer grew into the game and it was obvious every time he had the ball in his hands, anything could happen.

It was also obvious that even the unflappable Sam Tomkins felt uncomfortable catching the high bombs sent up by the Giants captain.

This nervousness also allowed Gaskell to chance his arm and be the creative spark he was for much of 2019.

There is room for improvement for this pair, especially with some of their penalty kicks, however, there is a foundation set that can only excite supporters for what lies ahead.

Senior performance from Louis

Louis Senior loves playing against Catalans Dragons, that’s just a certainty of life alongside death and taxes.

Senior, who was shuffled around the pitch to accommodate injury to Darnell McIntosh, made the most clean breaks of anyone in Super League in Round One and only five others gained more yards on average with the ball.

This was another very impressive performance from the youngster who is slowly becoming one of the first names on the Giants team sheet.

Withstanding Pressure

For the most part, it was a very assured performance by Giants who never trailed in the game.

However, for ten minutes, either side of the half-time break, Catalans forced the visitors into some very tough defensive work.

Giants largely answered the call however, they did concede a glut of penalties that threatened to derail all their hard work.

Yet, they stayed mentally strong and made sure they kept Catalans at bay, something which would not have happened last campaign.

Metres everywhere 🔥 🔥 🔥

Solid Start from the #Polarbear against the Dragons. @mattyenglis ❄ 🐻 pic.twitter.com/b1kQZp9i1M
— Huddersfield Giants (@Giantsrl) February 4, 2020

Wood’s pressure on Turner

Throughout the build up to Saturday, Jordan Turner’s absence was a worry for Giants fans but within minutes in Perpignan, all those worries were forgotten.

Sam Wood put in a top drawer performance and even when he was shuffled around the field, Wood never looked uncomfortable and made sure Simon Woolford has a big call to make on Sunday.

Week one, win one. Join us for week two.