Huddersfield Giants vs Salford Red Devils
Super League - Friday 1st Feb – KO 7:45PM
Salford’s curtain raiser for Super League in 2019 is away against the Huddersfield Giants.
During the pre-season, the Red Devils have enjoyed mixed results in 2 home friendlies. A win against neighbours Swinton Lions, and a loss versus a strong Wigan Warriors line-up, meaning Ian Watson will have learnt both positives and areas for improvement during the previous 2 weeks.
The only major drawback from those 2 games being the loss of Ed Chamberlain to an ankle injury that may keep him side-lined for another 6-8 weeks. However, Joey Lussick will be able to deputise as goal kicker.
From the Giants point of view, the pre-season somewhat echoed Salford’s. A comfortable win, 56-12 over Bradford Bulls for their first run out, followed by a battling defeat at home to fellow Super League side, Wakefield Trinity (24-28). In between, a second string youthful side, lost 10-50 against Workington Town.
For coach Simon Woolford, it was still a positive run out, other than the injury to England star, Jermaine McGilvary for 3-4 weeks. Despite this set back, he suggests the team will bring their A-Game for the visit of the Red Devils.
Let’s look at some key battles on the pitch where the game could be decided.
Props: Lee Mossop v Suiaia Matagi
For “Moose” Mossop, this is a pivotal season. The 30-year-old has been given the captain’s armband and will relish the challenge that this responsibility will no doubt come with.
During pre-season, he was showing his customary straight running as well as marshalling the other forwards around and being more vocal on the pitch. If he keeps fit, he will be a towering influence on Salford’s season and it’s vital that he gets off to a good start on Friday.
Suiaia Matagi joined Huddersfield in 2018 and is ready to get his first full season as a Giant under his belt. The tough hitting Samoan was part of the team that made it to the WC 2017 quarter finals and joined Huddersfield from Paramatta after previously having spells in the NRL with Sydney Roosters and NZ Warriors.
As the main prop in the Giants team, he will be expected to impose himself on the game early, so expect these two to have some impressive early hit-ups to see if either can gain any dominance over the other.
Loose: Mark Flanagan v Michael Lawrence
Flash, or Mr Dependable will yet again feature heavily in Salford’s season. The glue that binds the team together (as he has been called by Watto) will need to be at his best this season to ensure the pivot at loose forward enables the half back pairing of Hastings and Lui to create chances for the backs to demonstrate what they are capable of.
There are fewer more solid, consistent players that Flanagan and someone you would want in your team each week if possible. Expect yet another strong performance from him this Friday.
Michael Lawrence is a Huddersfield academy product and has known nothing but Claret and Gold for his entire career. The 27-year-old became an England Knights International last year - alongside our own Niall Evalds – due to his outstanding work rate and relentless tackling in defence.
How he links the forwards and the back line in this Huddersfield line up will be key to the battle between these two forwards, along with their defensive displays. Expect both players to put in some hard tackles, hard metres and long minutes for their respective teams.
Hooker: Joey Lussick v Kruise Leeming
Joey Lussick: With the arrival of the mercurial Jackson Hastings during the middle 8’s last season, you could be forgiven for missing the second Aussie import that Salford acquired. Despite his comparatively quiet demeanour, Joey Lussick’s performances have been fantastic so far for the Red Devil’s.
Alongside his more lauded Antipodean, he has arguably become the number one hooker in the Salford line up and played the full eighty minutes in the last two friendlies, also switching to half back when Lui and Hastings were brought off as precautions after picking up minor knocks. He is also going to have to be on goal kicking duties due to the injury of Ed Chamberlain, so that makes him even more crucial to the 17-man team on Friday.
Kruise Leeming
Another England Knights debutant during 2018, the 23-year-old Giant’s academy export will want to kick on and improve during this Super League season. He will have a large forward pack in front of him that could possibly give him the time and space he needs from dummy half to find his new half back pairing and this is what coach Simon Woolford will be wanting.
Salford should look to attack him with big direct running to see if the youngster is able to cope with multiple tackles early on. This may tire him and with the reduction in interchanges a new feature this season the Giants could be found wanting.
Halves: Jackson Hastings v Lee Gaskell
Since Jackson Hastings arrival for the qualifiers late last season, he has been nothing short of superb.
Not only with his eye-catching performances on the field, but the impressive way he carries himself off it. His professional attitude and genuine willingness to absorb the Salford Red Devil’s culture has already earnt almost legendary status at the club.
His combination play and link up with Rob Lui, Joey Lussick and Niall Evalds could mean that the Salford faithful are in for some amazing tries and dazzling plays in 2019. Should he keep fit, there’s no reason why Salford can’t expect a top half of the table finish. He is simply that important to the club.
Lee Gaskell appears to have found his settled place in the halves and will start the Giant’s season there alongside new signing Matt Frawley. He has played centre and Full back for Huddersfield so far but has now found his place after a successful 2018 in that position.
The 28-year-old is a product of the St Helens academy and also had a brief spell at the Red Devil’s on loan during 2013. It will be crucial that Salford attack the new half back combination early and put them under pressure to see if they are able to handle it.
Let’s hope everyone takes their seats for the start of what promises to be an excellent and exciting season! There’s plenty of reason for optimism in 2019. Let’s hope the team deliver on the field and the fans deliver off it by showing their support!
Come on Salford!!!!
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