Giants welcome three new faces

Huddersfield Giants have been busy over the Christmas period adding three new faces to Ian Watson's squad ahead of the 2021 Betfred Super League season.

First came the confirmation that former NRL and Toronto Wolfpack centre, Ricky Leutele would be joining on a one-year deal.

Leutele told giantsrl.com: "I’m very excited to be joining the club and I can’t wait to get over. It feels awesome to have signed for the Giants. 

"I spoke to Ian Watson the other night about the direction he wants to take the team and the club, what Ian described to me is something I want to be a part of, and I can’t wait to rip in with the boys. 

"Hopefully, I can bring my ‘A’ game and just be the best version of me when I’m playing for the Giants??

Next up on the trio of announcements came Josh Jones. The GB international joins from Hull FC where he will be reunited with Ian Watson, who coached him at Salford Red Devils.

Jones said of the move: "There's a great base here to win something and compete, and Ian Watson spoke to me about his goals and the clubs ambition, which really drove me to come and sign here. I'm excited: I can't wait to join up with the boys on January 4th and get going. 

"The thing I like most about Ian Watson is that he is a winner. He wants to win and that's why we built up a good relationship over the last few years and he pushes his sides to achieve that. He'll back his defence and he's not come here to be a mid-table team. We're here to challenge and that's what attracted me here - There's lots of potential."

The final Giants signing (for now) saw another player coached by Ian Watson follow his boss to the Giants. Powerhouse prop Luke Yates joins the Giants on a two-year deal having spent the 2020 season with the Red Devils.

Yates said about his new team:  "The main motivation for me was to work with Ian Watson, we have a long history even though we've only worked together for a year. 

He tried to sign me when I signed for the Broncos, he signed me to Salford and when the opportunity opened up for me to work with him again, I knew I wanted to join the club."

"I'd consider myself a grafter, I do big minutes in the middle against bigger bodies and I use the attributes I have. I'm a fit forward who likes the defensive side of the game.

"I'm coming here to play my role for the team and hopefully help transfer my effort into some wins. I'm not coming here to tag along, I want to be dominant in the pack and I'm coming to Huddersfield to win things. 

"The squad that the club have put together is unbelievable, and the additions to the squad are excellent, and in Ian Watson they've got someone who wants to be at the top of the table, competing for titles, and I wanted to be a part of that."