Brown: We lacked hunger

Nathan Brown put Huddersfield’s poor first-half display against Wakefield down to a lack of intensity, not a much-changed line-up.

The Giants boss continued to prove he is the ‘tinkerman’ of the Engage Super League by leaving out six regulars ahead of next Friday’s clash with Warrington, meaning he has now already used 27 players this season.

The side he sent out against the Wildcats struggled in the opening 40 minutes, though, and were only 6-4 ahead at the break.

However they dominated in the second half, scoring five tries to one, to run out comfortable 34-10 winners at the Galpharm Stadium.

Hunger

“We’ve made changes to the team over the last six games and the players who’ve come in have done well,” Brown said.

“But the players today didn’t look hungry at the start. There was a lack of intensity.

“The improvement wasn’t down to what I said at half-time, but more what the players did. They came out with more aggression in the second half.”

The only disappointment for the hosts came with Keith Mason suffering a suspected knee injury – he will be sent for a scan on the problem.

Brown added: “Some high quality players have not played today and we could be missing another one in Keith. But it’s a chance for someone else to step up.”

Graeme Horne and Michael Lawrence both crossed twice for the Giants in a one-sided second half, while Danny Brough kicked five goals against his old club.

Wakefield boss John Kear admitted he was disappointed with the way his team let the game slip away from them after the interval.

80-minute game

“We showed good skill and a strong commitment to defence in the first half,” he said.

“But we’ve got to realise rugby league lasts 80 minutes. It’s not 40 really good minutes and then 40 minutes of hanging on.

“I can’t fault the players for their efforts. But we’re on a learning curve and the players had better learn it quickly.

“Julien Rinaldi had a great game, and he’s in form. He was one of the few who applied himself for the full 80 minutes.”

Kear is unlikely to make any more signings after recruiting Liam Higgins and Tyrone McCarthy in the week, adding: “I don’t think we’ll be able to get the squad to where we’d like it to be this season.

“The time for recruitment has passed and we’ll probably have to work with what we’ve got. But there’s always a chance that we could bring a player or two in because we’re still under the salary cap.”