Saturday 16th August 08

Huddersfield Giants’ New Zealand hooker David Faiumu admits the build-up to his home debut tonight has been overshadowed by the club chairman’s planned major announcement at half-time in the game against Catalans Dragons.

Owner Ken Davy is expected to unveil ambitious plans for the Super League outfit, although that has not prevented speculation linking the Giants with such famous players as Darren Lockyer, Paul Sculthorpe and Sonny Bill Williams.

“It’s been the highlight of the week,” said Faiumu, the club’s new signing from North Queensland Cowboys. “They say it could be Sonny Bill!

“The guys seem to think it’s more likely to be something off the field. These are exciting times for the club. When I signed, I knew the club were going places and I think this might be the start of something big.”

Faiumu, who toured England with the Kiwis in 2005 and 2007, endured a frustrating six weeks when his move to Huddersfield was held up by red tape but he made up for lost time with an impressive debut in last week’s 30-24 win at Carnegie Challenge Cup finalists Hull FC.

That followed back-to-back away successes over Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers and Faiumu is hoping the Giants can make it four wins in a row at the expense of the high-flying Dragons to keep alive their outside play-off hopes.

“Everything is going well,” he said. “It was good to come into a team that is playing well. They had won at Wigan so they were on the up.

“I was pleased with my debut but I’m a work in progress. I hadn’t played for a while so the more games I get the better it will be for me.

“We’ve touched on the play-offs briefly. We’re taking it game by game. We need a win this week and next week will take care of itself.”

A win tonight would enable Huddersfield to move to within a point of sixth-placed Bradford Bulls, who are at home to Hull FC tomorrow, while a point for Catalans would secure them a third-place finish.