Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants: Super League preview
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 21/04/16 7:16pm
Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson is urging his bottom-of-the-table team to produce more of the same when they face Wigan at the DW Stadium on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD.
The Giants ended a five-match losing run with an impressive 11-0 victory over leaders Warrington last Friday but it was not enough to move them off the foot of the Super League table.
Anderson is hoping they can secure lift-off while at the same time preventing the Warriors taking over top spot.
"Obviously there are a lot of smiles around from what we achieved last week," said Anderson.
"I thought we put together a complete 80-minute performance and that was the most pleasing thing for us because what we have talked about and wanted to practise are coming to fruition.
"But we knew straight after the game that we couldn't rest on that performance. We did a lot of things well but there are things that we can do better as well.
"The challenge of Super League and the regular rounds is that this week we have something different and it is a whole different kettle of fish in regards to playing Wigan away.
"Every game is an opportunity to win and Wigan have been very good at home in the last few years so we have got a fair challenge on our hands.
"The stage we are at now is that we have to play every game like it is our last and enjoy it that way."
Huddersfield's long-awaited win came as no surprise to Wigan coach Shaun Wane, who has identified former Man of Steel Danny Brough as the main threat to his side.
"Not many teams can keep Warrington to nil," said Wane. "They'll be a real threat to us.
"I like the way they play. They're getting back to how Huddersfield play now. We won't underestimate them.
"Danny Brough has been outstanding this last few weeks. He's the man and the one who is pushing all of the buttons."
Wigan's injury worries continue to ease, with prop Ben Flower and centre Anthony Gelling set to return against the Giants after being out for a month.
Gelling is back earlier than expected, much to Wane's relief.
"It looked like a 12-week lay-off at one point so we're glad he's back," he said.
"Gells has been the best centre in the competition bar none, he's training the house down and he's ready to go.
"Even the week before the Wakefield game when we were struggling, he was putting his hand up to play, even though he wasn't ready.
"But I like people like that. He just wants to play and we've missed him."
Anderson recalls on-loan winger Gene Ormsby after he was unable to play against his parent club but resists the temptation to bring back forwards Eorl Crabtree and Larne Patrick, who missed that game through injury and illness.
"Larne has overcome his illness and Eorl has done some running but we have to reward performance so there might not be too many changes from Friday," Anderson said.
Wigan, who bounced back from their 62-0 mauling at Wakefield to beat Castleford last Friday, are aiming to complete the double over the Giants following their 18-13 win at the John Smith's Stadium in February.
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Greg Burke, Josh Charnley, Tony Clubb, Dom Crosby, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Anthony Gelling, Nick Gregson, Jack Higginson, Willie Isa, Lee Mossop, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, Joel Tomkins.
Huddersfield Giants: Ryan Brierley, Danny Brough, Jake Connor, Leroy Cudjoe, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Craig Huby, Josh Johnson, Michael Lawrence, Kruise Leeming, Jermaine McGillvary, Nathan Mason, Aaron Murphy, Gene Ormsby, Sam Rapira, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Ta'ai, Joe Wardle, Kyle Wood.
Watch Wigan v Huddersfield live on Sky Sports 2 HD on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.