If you look into the eyes of a Huddersfield Giants fan right now, you’re likely to see nothing but a stunned expression complete with slack jaw staring back at you.
They do have reason to be a little dazed, however, for the Giants have made the headlines in the rugby league betting news by sitting top of the Super League having won their first three games of the season. Few would have expected this freak occurrence of nature, with Huddersfield losing a good number of players in the summer and still in the ‘transitional’ stage under coach Paul Anderson.
Greg Eden, David Fa’alogo and Lee Gilmour all left over the winter; the team looking a shadow of its former self under Nathan Brown’s successful three-year stint.
Few Giants fans and those who bet on rugby with the likes of bet365 would have given the team a hope of making the top six this season, and some more pessimistic West Yorkshiremen may even have thought a playoff place was out of reach.
However, three stunning wins on the bounce – including comprehensive victories over Brown’s St Helens and Wigan – have rocketed the Giants to top spot in the Super League, the only team to have a 100% record at this stage.
Jermaine McGillvary is back at his best while new new signing Brett Ferres has settled in perfectly; Eorl Crabtree continues to be a menace in his 13th Super League season and the team work well under the watchful eye of captain Danny Brough.
Many rugby fans may assume, therefore, that they will pick apart Wakefield on Sunday but they should not be too hasty. The Wildcats have started well themselves, whitewashing London Broncos 28-0 before a hard-fought victory over Hull KR last weekend.
Ben Cockayne is in tremendous form, Paul Sykes looks happy to kick from any angle and head coach Richard Agar has been rewarded for his fine work with the France job at this year’s World Cup.
Come Sunday, Anderson must prepare his troops for Wakefield’s dangerous wing play and keep tight in the centre. It promises to be a fun game on a poor playing surface, with Wakefield unwilling to roll over lightly.
