28 Mar 2024
LONDON BRONCOS MATCH PREVIEW | RIVALS ROUND
In an unfamiliar 'Rivals Round' in recent years, Huddersfield Giants will take on London Broncos as we renew our rivalry.
THE STORY SO FAR 📖
After our huge win in the Betfred Challenge Cup, we return to Super League action as we face our fiercest rivals, London Broncos in the Easter Weekend's 'Rivals Round'.
As every Giants fan is aware, the rivalry with London Broncos runs deep and goes way back to... 2024, as we were selected to face the Capital Club in the traditional rivals weekend.
Five rounds of Super League has been played so far, and we currently sit with a 2-3 record, we'd have hoped for better, but as the saying goes, its not how you start, but how you finish and we'll look to build on our recent performance in the cup.
This will be the Giants' first trip to the Cherry Red Records stadium, having faced London previously at their old home of the Trailfinders Stadium back in 2019.
THE OPPOSITION 🐴
London gained promotion to the Betfred Super League against all odds last year, as they took the most difficult route, having beaten league favourites Featherstone and Toulouse on their own grounds to reach the promised land, a sensational performance in France as they once again showed they are the masters of the play-offs.
However, this came at a cost as they lost two of their highest performing players from 2023, in Corey Norman and Dean Whare, the latter scoring in both the semi and playoff finals.
Norman in particular was a big loss for the Broncos, marshalling the team around the park and was a big reason for their upturn in form which saw them win a succession of games, propelling them into the play-off picture.
Now, coached by Mike Eccles, despite losing every game of the season so far, they will be a stern opposition and came very close to victory against Hull FC some weeks ago, a late Morgan Smith try crushing the hopes of a first Super League victory in 2024.
Here, is the 'Opta Stats Pack' for this weeks matchup. 📈
● Huddersfield Giants have won their last 15 Super League matches against London Broncos, recording an
average winning margin of 20 points per game across that span; their last defeat against the Broncos
was a 0-24 loss in March 2008.
● London Broncos have lost their last six Super League matches, conceding 50+ points in each of their last
two games in that span; the last time they conceded 50+ in more consecutive games was a five-match
span from July to August in 2014 (L5).
● Huddersfield Giants (324) and London Broncos (320) have made more tackles per game than any other
teams in the 2024 Super League season; although, the Giants (28) have missed 27 tackles fewer per
game than the Broncos (55).
● Hakim Miloudi (London Broncos) has made 13 offloads in the 2024 Super League season, more than any
other player in the competition and more than two times as many as any Huddersfield Giants player.
● Adam Swift (Huddersfield Giants) has been directly involved in 19 tries in his last 17 Super League
matches (18 tries, 1 try assist), including four tries in his last three games in that span.
WHO TO WATCH 👀
- Hakim Miloudi - The former French international is the league leader for offloads with 13, an average of 2.60 per game, the giants will need to watch for his skill.
- Lee Kershaw - The speedy winger who scored two vs the Giants in pre-season, has already crossed for four tries this campaign in the Broncos colours.
- Alex Walker - The illusive full-back who has spent many years with the Broncos, Walker has an eye for a try and can make four points from nothing.
TICKETING INFORMATION 🎟️
Tickets are on-sale online, Giants fans will be situated in the South Stand and when purchasing are encouraged to enter the code 'Huddersfield3103' so that the club receives its commission from London.
SQUAD NEWS 💪
Ian Watson has selected his 21-Man Squad with some enforced changes this week, Matty English and Adam Milner are replaced by Luke Yates and Fenton Rogers, who will make the journey down to the capital.
LUKE ROBINSON & HARRY RUSHTON PREVIEW 🗣️
Head Coach Ian Watson & Loose Forward/Back Row Harry Rushton spoke to the media ahead of our game on Sunday, with both covering a number of topics, which GiantsTV members can view below.
WHAT KIT WILL WE WEAR AT THE CHERRY RED RECORDS STADIUM? 🟣
For the second time this season, we will sport the striking purple and pink third kit at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, as we look for the same form that saw us score 50 last time out in this kit.
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME 👇
Giants club social media accounts will also keep supporters updated, with team news, picture and video content during the build up and then match updates throughout the game, the main hub for this is X (Formerly Twitter). Follow us on: Twitter |Facebook | Instagram
Highlights will be available on our YouTube channel 24 Hours after the game, alongside a Full-Match replay on GiantsTV for subscribers to enjoy.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch it live on Sky Sports Action, as can SuperLeague+ subscribers – Members can save £30 on an annual SuperLeague+ pass, sign up here.