“I’m at fault because I picked the team” – Huddersfield boss takes responsibility for latest defeat

Huddersfield boss Ian Watson took responsibility for the 30-4 Super League defeat to Leigh at the John Smith’s Stadium.

The loss marked the side’s third straight defeat, and their seventh in the season overall, leaving them with just four wins so far in 2023 and outside of the play-offs in 10th position.

Watson dropped youngster Will Pryce ahead of the game, with Kieran Rush making his Super League debut in the halves alongside Jake Connor, with Tui Lolohea at full-back. 

Jake Bibby also returned and was named on the wing, with Huddersfield’s only try of the game coming through ex-St Helens centre Kevin Naiqama in the latter stages of the game. 

Huddersfield are still without starting halves Oliver Russell and Theo Fages due to respective injuries, and Watson refused to be too critical of his side’s attack that has scored just three tries in the last three games.

Ian Watson: I’m at fault because I picked the team

“I don’t want to be too critical in terms of the attack,” Watson said post-match.

“We’ve not got those halves who can square defences up. You lose people like Theo and Olly, the control of the team, and you’re in trouble.

“We’re the problem and we need to be the solution. The last three weeks have been terrible from us and not good enough.

“We had a real simple game plan today. I’m at fault because I picked the team. I’m the one who makes the decisions. It’s only us who can fix it.”

Watson also bemoaned his team’s lack of patience and errors in the second half.

Adrian Lam’s side took a 12-0 lead into the break with tries from Ben Reynolds and Josh Charnley, before second half efforts from Lachlan Lam, Joe Mellor and another from Charnley. 

Reynolds also kicked 100% from the boot in the victory that sees the Leopards climb to fifth position on the Super League table. 

“Leigh are a very good attacking football team,” Watson added.

“We need we had to build pressure on them. We have to be patient and we weren’t, we kicked on tackle four.

“At 12-0 you could see our ruck was starting to get really quick. We needed to start the second half well but we didn’t.

“Players were over-trying and making silly errors. It kind of epitomises where we are.

“We didn’t have any field position really and when we did we made an error.

“The first half wounded us in what we wanted to do.”

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