Evergreen Crabtree puts in the hours

by Simon Hatton 22 Feb 2012

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Huddersfield prop Eorl Crabtree has stepped up to the plate this season, as clubs and players alike adjust to the change in interchange rules.

Over the close season, the decision was made to reduce the number of interchanges permitted from 12 to 10, while in the Under 20's competition, clubs are only able to make eight interchanges.

It has put more pressure on forwards to deliver longer stints on the field, with short bursts and impact spells becoming less apparent and effective due to the reduction in numbers.

It hasn't been a problem though for Crabtree, 29, who celebrated his 300th appearance for the Giants in Saturday's defeat at home to Warrington.

He appeared for long spells in the Super League opener against Wigan, and backed that up with long minutes against Widnes, and was on the field for 70 minutes of the 32-22 defeat at the weekend.

He told the club's official website: "The confidence is in me and I know I can do that quite comfortably. I think I was ok throughout the whole game which shows how far I have come with my fitness levels.

"It’s what I’ve been working on and a little bit of it is experience. For me personally I’ve learnt a lot over the years off different coaches and I’ve learnt how to control my own game with a bit of composure. The experience of playing 300 games, you just know how to play and for me it’s just getting easier."

Huddersfield travel to Twickenham Stoop to face London Broncos on Sunday, before hosting St Helens on Sunday week.