Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants: England winger Jermaine McGillvary insists it will take much more than a win at Leeds to turn Huddersfield’s Super League season around


JERMAINE McGillvary insists not even a win at Leeds will turn Huddersfield’s shocking season around.

It is down to the players, who are letting under-pressure coach Rick Stone down, but he is not exactly sure on what it will take.

Jermaine McGillvary scored a hat-trick against Huddersfield
Jermaine McGillvary believes Huddersfield’s season needs more than a win at Leeds

The Giants sit second bottom of Super League and were dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Championship part-timers Swinton.

Stone is under increasing pressure after replacing Paul Anderson as boss last year and failing to turn things around.

Now McGillvary has told his team-mates that most of the responsibility for their shocking situation, and they are the ones largely responsible for pulling them out of it.

He said: “You can say we don’t have the players, it’s the coach and stuff but it’s down to us.

Jermaine McGillvary is ready to shine
Jermaine McGillvary believes Huddersfield’s players are letting coach Rick Stone down

“Look at Swinton, they are a part time team, they have 15 fit players, train twice a week and they came and turned over a full-time team.

“A win at Leeds could change it but for me we need more consistency. We can’t think one win might change our season. We need to have a run even though it is easier said than done.

“But I can’t remember when we have gone three or four games unbeaten in the last two years. On average in the past, we would only lose four or five games a season

“Swinton was the worst point of my Huddersfield Giants career. No disrespect to Swinton but we shouldn’t be losing that type of game.

Jermaine McGillvary made his international debut against New Zealand
Jermaine McGillvary has retained his place in England’s squad for the game against Samoa

“But if you ask me what is going to fix it it, I really don’t know. It’s been going on for a while.

“On the whole, we are letting Rick down. It doesn’t matter what the game plan is, Rick doesn’t drop the ball, he doesn’t miss tackles, he doesn’t give away penalties. It’s us that are putting ourselves under pressure.

“When Nathan Brown and Paul Anderson were here, we were winning all these games and getting close to Grand Finals. I thought it would never end, I thought this was it for the rest of my career.

“I thought we would always be challenging for titles and now I find myself challenging to stay off the bottom of the league and staying out of a game that could get us relegated.

Jermaine McGillvary grabbed a first-half double
McGillvary admits his club’s fortunes made him wonder if he would make England’s squad

“It’s a big contrast to what I have been used to. It’s not good enough and we need to look each individual and start performing.”

Winger McGillvary may find himself in a scrap at the bottom but impressive performances for England saw him called up for next week’s Test against Samoa.

But the 28-year-old feared his club woes could cost him an international place.

McGillvary added: “It’s not been an easy season on club front, a bit depressing at times, but I am really happy to be called up by England and maybe put the club thing behind me.

 

Jermaine McGillvary, seen challenging Australia’s Valentine Holmes, hopes to make the World Cup
Getty Images

“I was a bit worried I might not get picked because the team wasn’t doing well. I first thought that last season when we were one game away from the Million Pound Game.

“I was in the train-on squad but I thought I was there just to fill in the numbers. Thankfully Wayne picked me and made it clear he didn’t pick me on current form but because he knew what I was capable of.

“He had seen it glimpses after I made my debut against the Kiwis in 2015. He put his faith in me and I thought I repaid it somewhat in the Four Nations.

“I don’t think I have let anyone down playing for England and I want that to continue.”

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McGillvary hopes to help Huddersfield win at Leeds tonight[/caption]

Meanwhile, Huddersfield are in mourning after Jennifer Davy, wife of owner Ken, died suddenly.

The Giants players will wear black armbands in tonight’s game and will have the letters JD on their training tops.


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