Brierley: This is our Million Pound game
Should Huddersfield lose against the Robins this weekend their place in Super League will be decided in the Million Pound game, but Ryan Brierley insists the Giants can’t afford to look that far ahead.
Huddersfield take on Hull KR on Saturday, with the loser expecting to face either Salford or London in the relegation decider.
“As a club we are not thinking about the Million Pound Game,” Brierley told Love Rugby League.
“The Hull KR match is our Million Pound game and there will be no added motivation needed.
“We don’t want to disappoint Ken Davy, who is a proud Huddersfield man and we also don’t want to let the fans down because they have had a rough year.
“This will be the biggest test of the year. They are littered with quality players and any team with Jamie Peacock in it is going to be a tough one to beat.
“We need to leave everything on the field and play smarter than we have in recent weeks. Taking the crowd out of the equation is also vital.
“I have been involved with some pretty big games when I was at Leigh but this is certainly the biggest game of my career.
“It is a lot deeper than two points. There are mortgages on the lines and families to support.”
The halfback was delighted to get back to winning ways with victory over Leeds Rhinos after the disappointing result against Leigh, which saw the Centurions secure their place in Super League.
“I thought the reaction from the club and the fans was great,” Brierley said.
“We were really embarrassed about losing to Leigh and so to have come out with two points against Leeds is great.
“It gave us a massive boost because we have not been in the best form in the Qualifiers and they were top at the time so it shows we can do it against the big teams.”
Brierley, who wasn’t selected against his former club, admits not taking part was difficult to take.
“I was bitterly disappointed to have been left out against Leigh. It is a frustrating part of the game.
“Playing a part in the Leeds game was great but it is about the team not me.
“Under Rick Stone’s guidance he has instilled that team mentality.
“I know that I am behind two world-class halfbacks in Jamie Ellis and Danny Brough and it can only be good for my development to learn off players of their quality.”
Speculation has emerged recently linking Brierley with a move away from the John Smiths’ Stadium – Toronto and Wakefield are two of the interested parties – but the 24-year old insists he couldn’t be happier at Huddersfield.
“I have a four-and-a-half year contract here and I look forward to what the future holds with the Giants,” he said.
“Of course it is not ideal when you are in and out of the team but I have Ellis and Brough in front of me and to learn off them is not an opportunity a lot of halfbacks get.”