Ian Watson ‘not getting carried away’ as Huddersfield Giants mount late surge for play-offs
Tui Lolohea celebrates a Huddersfield Giants try
Huddersfield Giants coach Ian Watson insists they don’t want to get carried away regarding play-off talk following their fourth win in a row.
The Giants comfortably beat Castleford Tigers 28-0 at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Friday night thanks to a hat-trick from Sam Halsall as well as further tries from Leroy Cudjoe, Chris McQueen and Adam Milner.
Huddersfield’s fourth win on the spin sees them sit just four points behind Warrington Wolves and Hull KR, who occupy the fifth and sixth spots in the play-off places respectively.
Speaking in his post-match press conference after their win at Castleford, Watson said he was proud of his side’s display but doesn’t want to get carried away with talk of making the play-offs.
“I’m really pleased,” Watson said.
“We showed great character, we spoke about starting really fresh and starting really well.
“We wanted to take that pressure away, our defensive mentality was awesome.
“It’s a week by week proposition for us (about making the play-offs).
“We don’t want to get carried away but it’s put us in a great position. We look a helluva lot more like us.”
Huddersfield and St Helens have a game in hand on the rest of the competition, with the game being rearranged for August 13, the day after next Saturday’s Challenge Cup final between Hull KR and Leigh Leopards.
Watson added: “That will be a big game for us, every game for us is a big game.
“There’s no point looking two or three games ahead, we have to enjoy it.”
Huddersfield Giants boss shares praise for Jake Connor: ‘He’s started to turn up in the right places now’
Watson praised the influence of full-back Jake Connor, who provided two assists as well as making 25 carries in their win over the Tigers.
Watson added: “There’s still things we’ve spoke about, but he’s finding a way.
“He’s started to turn up in the right places now, everything comes off our defence anyway.”
Next up for Huddersfield is a trip to St Helens next Sunday, 5pm kick-off.
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