Thursday night sees Paul Wellens’ world champions St Helens head up the M62 to Huddersfield to take on the Giants. Both sides missed out on the first game of the season due to Saints’ participation in the World Club Challenge where they claimed a famous victory to be the world’s best rugby league team. However, returning to Super League has had it’s challenges.
Losing to Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Leopards in back-to-back weeks is a tough hit for a team that have dominated the landscape of the sport for the last five years, but a big night under the lights at the John Smith’s Stadium is the perfect game to build some form. Huddersfield themselves took a tough loss against Wigan Warriors last Friday night, with the Giants seemingly lacking the creative spark that took them so far in the Challenge Cup last season. Ian Watson knows the game though, so this is another key test for his side to prove their play-off credentials.
Huddersfield Giants vs St Helens
Where: John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield
When: 8pm (GMT)
TV: Sky Sports Arena
Huddersfield Giants last five: 12-14 loss vs Wigan (Round 5), 36-6 win vs Castleford (Round 4), 8-0 win vs Wakefield (Round 3), 16-26 loss vs Warrington (Round 2), 0-28 loss vs Salford (Play-Off Eliminator, 2022)
St Helens last five: 20-12 win vs Hull FC (Round 5), 20-12 loss vs Leigh (Round 4), 25-24 loss vs Leeds (Round 3), 6-24 win vs Castleford (Round 2), 12-13 win vs Penrith (World Club Challenge)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Huddersfield Giants - 6/4, St Helens - 4/7, Tie - 18/1
Handicap betting (Huddersfield +3.5): Huddersfield Giants - 10/11, St Helens ⅚
Milestones:
Huddersfield prop forward Nathan Mason is set to make his 150th appearance, 45 of those coming in the Giants jersey.
On the other side, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook also needs one more appearance to hit his 350th for St Helens. He made his debut for the Saints back in February 2011 against Wigan at the Millennium Stadium, moving from Harlequins.
Previous meetings:
St Helens 25-0 Huddersfield (Round 19, 2022)
Huddersfield 12-24 St Helens (Round 9, 2022)
St Helens 23-18 Huddersfield (Challenge Cup quarter-final, 2021)
Huddersfield 10-18 St Helens (Round 4, 2021)
Huddersfield 6-54 St Helens (Round 11, 2020)
Total Super League meetings: 57 meetings (13 wins for Huddersfield, 43 wins for St Helens, 1 draw)
There’s a thought that there is no better time to play St Helens for Huddersfield. With varying form due to injuries and a coach still learning the ropes as he looks to defend the title he lifted as assistant to Kristian Woolf. However, as the famous saying goes, never write off the Saints.
Konrad Hurrell and Sione Mata’utia are returning to Wellens’ side after spells on the sidelines and will bring much needed improvements back to the team. St Helens have been leaking tries in an uncharacteristic manner and the grit of those two could be vital to adding more wins to their tally.
Huddersfield fans will be treated to the sight of Jake Connor making his Giants’ debut on Thursday night too. Watson confirmed that he’ll be playing his part from the bench in pre-match media duties. Connor was the top assister last season with 33 assists for Hull FC, despite only scoring four tries himself for the season. He was ruled out due to a nasty knee injury that required surgery, however the 28-year-old centre is back and ready to get involved.
Sportsman stat: St Helens haven’t lost away to Huddersfield Giants in their last six games, last tasting defeat at the Kirklees back in 2017.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
