Salford v Huddersfield Big Match Preview
Last Friday was slightly bittersweet away at Wigan. A huge effort from Salford almost got the victory. In the end Paul Rowley’s side ran out of numbers in the final stages of the match with the Warriors just edging what was a cracking game.
Huddersfield have made a steady start to 2023 but three home defeats to Warrington, Wigan and St Helens leave the Giants off the pace. Ian Watson’s side are fancied by many pundits to do well this year having significantly strengthened their squad.
This will be Salford’s third home match and it’s fair to say the Red Devils have played better away from home so far this season. A disappointing defeat against Hull Kingston Rovers and a nerve shredding 14-13 win over Wakefield is all Salford have to show at home so far.
Looking at the betting odds this week the bookies can’t spilt Salford and Huddersfield with odds even. Both sides play a completely different way so it will be interesting to see how both coaches approach Sunday’s match.
Last Friday was a bruising match for Salford and Paul Rowley may be forced to make changes to add to the injury problems he’s already faced with. Over the past few years their has been plenty of spice in this fixture for obvious reasons and add to that the number of players in the Giants squad who have previously played for Salford. Jake Bibby and Harvey Livett joined the Giants in the close season to link up with Luke Yates, Josh Jones, Tui Lolohea, Theo Fages and Sebastine Ikahihifo who all spent time with the Red Devils.
Super League home record.
Salford 15
Draws 0
Huddersfield 10
1998 Salford 40 Huddersfield 6
1999 Salford 14 Huddersfield 15
2000 Salford 18 Huddersfield/Sheffield 8
2001 Salford 28 Huddersfield 14
2004 Salford 18 Huddersfield 25
2005 Salford 24 Huddersfield 16
2006 Salford 36 Huddersfield 18
2007 Salford 14 Huddersfield 12
2009 Salford 10 Huddersfield 34
2010 Salford 30 Huddersfield 18
2011 Salford 24 Huddersfield 18
2012 Salford 20 Huddersfield 30
2013 Salford 21 Huddersfield 20
2014 Salford 22 Huddersfield 42
2015 Salford 0 Huddersfield 19
2016 Salford 30 Huddersfield 31
2016 Salford 34 Huddersfield 12 (Qualifiers)
2017 Salford 36 Huddersfield 20
2017 Salford 52 Huddersfield 14 (Super Eights)
2018 Salford 16 Huddersfield 24
2019 Salford 18 Huddersfield 36
2019 Salford 32 Huddersfield 12
2020 Salford 10 Huddersfield 12
2021 Salford 18 Huddersfield 12
2022 Salford 33 Huddersfield 16
They played for both.
Here are a selection of players who have played for both clubs;
Steve Kerry, Danny Arnold, Greg Austin, David Bradbury, Jodie Broughton, Ryan Clayton, Gavin Clinch, Greg Eden, Simon Finnigan, Matt Gardner, Lee Gaskell, Martin Gleeson, Bobbie Goulding, Darrel Griffin, Josh Griffin, Neil Harmon, David Hodgson, Graham Holroyd, Andy Johnson, Phil Joseph, Craig Kopzack, Michael korkidas, Tommy Lee, Martin Moana, Chris Nero, Robbie Paul, Luke Robinson, Jordan Turner, Adam Walne, Paul White, Stephen Wild, Tui Lolohea, Luke Yates, Theo Fages, Jake Bibby, Harvey Livett and Josh Jones.
A match to remember Friday 7th April 2006.
Salford 36 Huddersfield 18
It doesn’t seem that long ago 2006 but a lot has changed on and off the field for Salford in the last thirteen years. Turn the clock back to this chilly and wet Friday night at The Willows. Karl Harrison’s City Reds had made good progress since promotion back to Super League. With some very astute recruitment 2006 was a very successful campaign.
Two first half tries from star fullback Karl Fitzpatrick were cancelled out by two tries from The Giants. Michael De Vere and Robbie Paul scoring in quick succession to level the scores at 12-12.
Ian Sibbit restored Salford’s lead after Huddersfield fullback Stuart Donlan threw out a long pass near his own line. Second rower Sibbit took full advantage.
Stuart Jones was then sin binned for a late tackle on The City Reds linchpin Andrew Dunemann. The extra man counted and that man Dunemann jinked his way through before setting up a nice try for David Hodgson.
Huddersfield struck first in the second half when Martin Aspinwall scooted over from a Salford mistake. Chris Thorman’s conversion brought The Giants back to within six points at 24-18.
That’s as good as it got for the Yorkshire side though. The 2006 Salford side had a steely determination about them and when Karl Fitzpatrick sliced through to complete his hat trick their was only going to be one winner.
Despite losing Andy Coley to the sin bin Salford put the game to bed seven minutes from time. Scrum half Luke Robinson out foxed the weary Huddersfield defence dancing over to score.
Although Salford scored some excellent tries it was perhaps the defensive resilience that won the game against a much fancied Giants side.
The teams that night;
Salford, Fitzpatrick, Hodgson, Littler, Moule, Wilshere, Dunemann, Robinson, Coley, Alker, Stringer, Brocklehurst, Sibbit, Finnigan.
Subs, McGuinness, Charles, Clayton, Baldwin.
Huddersfield, Donlan, Aspinwall, Nero, de Vere, Gardner, Thorman, Paul, Crabtree, Frew, Jackson, Smith, Jones, Wild.
Subs, Snitch, March, McDonald, Raleigh.
Referee, Steve Ganson
Attendance, 4,084.
Sunday’s match.
When the two sides met twice at the back end of 2022 Salford’s pace and ability to score tries from all over the pitch swept the Giants aside. In the blistering heat Salford won 33-16 at home in the Super League and then the two sides met in the playoffs with Paul Rowley’s side sending shock waves through West Yorkshire thumping Huddersfield 0-28 on their own ground.
Looking at the results so far in 2023 Watson’s Giants look pretty solid in defence but going forward they’ve struggled to post points. They certainly have plenty of creativity with Lolohea, Fages, Oliver Russell, Will Pryce and Jake Connor but perhaps that’s were the problem lies. Sometimes you can have too many pivots and the attack doesn’t flow.
Salford have once again been working very hard behind the scenes and the club has an offer on for season ticket holders to bring a friend. The staff at the club may be small in numbers but they work tirelessly to keep everything ticking over.
Sunday’s match should be a cracker and it would be great to see another good crowd cheering the team on from the stands. The previous home matches against Hull Kingston Rovers and Wakefield have seen increased attendances form the corresponding matches last season and this is very encouraging. Salford are a club on the up. Their is a real feel good factor amongst the players and supporters. The Giants have one or two players who left Salford thinking the grass was greener elsewhere. Hopefully the Red Devils will put them in their place on Sunday and go into Easter in good form.
The action gets under way at 3pm.
Safe travels and enjoy the match.
Paul Whiteside.
Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.
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