Cudjoe lauds Watson impact ahead of Leeds friendly

Leroy Cudjoe talks pre-season, new signings and the impact of Ian Watson on the first-team squad.

Leroy Cudjoe has admitted that the club Strength & Conditioning Staff have 'put [the team] through it' in pre-season, ahead of the Giants pre-season test against Leeds, this Sunday (2:00pm KO), for details on how to watch the match and purchase your match passes for the games, click here for our guide. The homegrown Giants star spoke of the strong team ethic in the club, and says he can feel the excitement of the upcoming season. 

"Pre season training has been tough as it always is for all clubs, it’s an Strength & Conditioning teams favourite time of the year when they can physically and mentally put us through it. This last 2 weeks has been more Rugby focused and really working on our structures. We’ve got a good vibe in camp at the minute, everyone’s enjoying putting in the work and competing with one another which is pleasing to see. I can feel the excitement with games only round the corner" said Cudjoe. 

The game will be Ian Watson's first competitive fixture of his tenure as Giants boss, and Cudjoe is in no uncertain terms about the impact the new Giants boss has had on the squad since his arrival.

"Watto’s made a massive impact since he’s arrived and changed a lot of what we did. He’s very consistent and clear in what he wants and expects, his attention to detail is very good. The boys have a clear understanding of brand of rugby he wants to play and the basic structure he’s given us will evolve and progress over time. There certainly a good vibe around the place and an exciting time ahead for the club." 

The Giants held a collaborative training session with Halifax Panthers last Saturday at the Shay, and the former England international Cudjoe maintained the experience was a positive one, and going up against a competitive side had helped them prepare for the new season.

"The training session with Halifax was really good, training against one another you get use to defending and attacking the way we want to defend and play so it was good to go up against a team we had no idea what they would throw at us. It also gave us some areas we probably need to do a little bit more work on to be ready for Round One."

Moving onto this Sunday's test against the Challenge Cup winners, he believes that while the focus is on match fitness ahead of the new season, he says the game could provide the foundations of a successful season for the Giants

"The game against Leeds is about getting that match fitness and focusing on areas we believe will give us the foundations of what could be a good year for us. It’s also a chance for people to stake the claim for a place in the 17 come Round 1"    

Sunday will be an opportunity to see the Giants new signings in action, with Ian Watson confirming that the new players in the squad will appear against the Rhinos, and Cudjoe has lauded the impact of the new members of the Giants first-team. 

"The new boys have settled in really well and added a lot of experience to the squad which is what we needed. There all quality players that have added a lot to our squad on the field and off the field."    

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