Magic Weekend: Paul Anderson delighted to have Brett Ferres back
Paul Anderson is thrilled to have Brett Ferres back as the Giants prepare to put their improved form to the test.
Last Updated: 18/05/14 6:23pm
A 54-16 rout of struggling Bradford at the Magic Weekend in Manchester was their fifth straight success which consolidated Huddersfield's place in the top six as they prepare to face St Helens, Wigan and Leeds, three of the four teams above them in the table, in their next three fixtures.
"It's challenging and exciting," Anderson said. "To score 50-odds points today is pleasing. We came with a focus of getting two points and that's what we've done."
It was eventually a stroll in the park for Huddersfield yet Bradford began the match impressively and tries by Danny Addy and Jamie Foster gave them a 10-6 lead.
"They started the game with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and rocked us," said Anderson, a former Bradford player. "We weren't great at the start but I thought Larne (Patrick) and Fuie (David Faiumu) gave us a lift when they came on."
Huddersfield had nine different tryscorers, including former Bradford centre Joe Wardle who went into the game after a sleepless night after his partner gave birth to their baby boy at 5am on Sunday morning.
The Giants were virtually at full strength following the return from a five-match ban of Ferres and Anderson is expecting the second rower to play a crucial role for his side in the second half of the season.
"He's world class, isn't he," he said. "We're very fortunate to have him in our team and he's only going to get better as well. It's effectively the start of his season."
Relegation trouble
Bradford remain deep in relegation trouble after losing for the seventh time in eight Magic Weekend fixtures but coach Francis Cummins was encouraged by the battling spirit of his depleted side.
They had just one specialist prop in Adam Sidlow and, with an especially inexperienced bench, Cummins expected them to fade in the second half.
"I am proud of the effort the guys showed," Cummins said. "We stuck at what we wanted to do. We had to play like we did in first 20 minutes.
"We had two props out there and (one of them) Chev Walker did tremendously since he hasn't been able to walk since Friday. We knew it would be hard after 20 minutes when we had to put back rows in the middle.
"We started really well and got some good field position and we looked dangerous. But if we lose seven or eight players, then we're struggling."
Cummins expects to have front row pair Manase Manuokafoa and Antonio Kaufusi back for the Bulls' trip to Catalan Dragons next weekend and he is eagerly anticipating the arrival from New Zealand of latest recruits Jordan Baldwinson and Mason Tonks early next week.
"There is a bit of the season starts now," Cummins said. "We do look like we will have players available and we will have a pack which we've not had for the last month."