Brough hails team-mates and coach Anderson

Correspondent

Huddersfield Giants stand-off Danny Brough is delighted to have been named in the 2013 Super League Dream Team, the first time he has received the honour.

But the Scotland international has also paid tributes to his team-mates at the Giants, as well as coach Paul Anderson. He believes it is their contribution this season that has allowed him to shine.

“I’m over the moon, it’s the first time I’ve ever been picked in it,” Brough told Love Rugby League.

“I’m really proud. I think I’ve done alright this year, and that comes from having a good team, and that’s probably the reason I’m in the Dream Team.

“I’m really enjoying it, I think I’ve settled down a lot, and I’m enjoying my rugby now.

“I’m pretty privileged in that I’ve got a good team around me. It seems to be going well, and everybody is pretty laid-back in terms of knowing what we have to do.

“Everybody understands what we’re doing and where we’re going in a game. That’s what makes it easier for me, and that’s what makes it enjoyable  – when you know what you’re doing, and when it comes off for you.

“There’s nothing better than playing behind a good pack, and that’s what I’ve done this season.”

One aspect of Anderson’s coaching which Brough has appreciated is the picking of players in their actual positions. The stand-off believes that this has been crucial.

“I agree 100 per cent,” he said when quizzed about Anderson’s contribution.

“If we lose a full-back, he puts a full-back in, and if we lose a prop, he puts a prop in.

“That’s what has stood us in good stead. We’ve been pretty lucky in that our halves, hooker and full-back have been pretty much the same all season, as that has been key.

“But ‘Baloo’ has done everything that should be done. If someone’s out, someone in the same position comes in.”

Now the focus for the Giants turns to the play-offs, and making sure that the League Leader’s Shield is joined in the club’s cabinet by the Super League trophy.

“I just hope we can kick on in the play-offs to an extra level and do well,” Brough added.

“The League Leader’s Shield is won by the most consistent team, but you don’t get any reward for that, really, as a player.

“You’ve done well, you’ve won the Shield, but there’s bigger fish to fry. The Grand Final in October is where we all want to be.”

“I think whoever’s in the play-offs is a danger. It’s play-off rugby. Obviously, we get two bites of the cherry having finished in the top four, but we don’t really want to go down that road.

“Anybody can beat anybody on their day.”