Luke Robinson believes the vast experience the new Huddersfield coach Rick Stone has brought with him from the National Rugby League will be crucial in ensuring there is no repeat of this season’s troubles, as the Australian prepares to take charge of the Giants for the first time on Sunday.
Huddersfield have endured a turbulent year both on and off the field, just 12 months on from making the play-off semi-finals. They are already guaranteed a place in the bottom four after a disappointing season to date, meaning a battle against relegation in the qualifiers starting next month. The Giants have also had to cope with tragedy off the field, following the death of their academy player Ronan Costello last month.
The recently retired Robinson, who will help Stone pick the team for Sunday’s game against St Helens after himself being promoted to the club’s new under-19s coach, says he is excited by the arrival of the former Newcastle Knights coach.
“It’s only early days as he’s just got off the plane: I think he was only here an hour before he threw himself into a training session,” Robinson said. “The lads have really bought into what he’s saying, though.
“To get to tap into the knowledge Rick brings is huge. There are many different attributes you need to be a good coach but your knowledge of the game is vital, and you can’t fault that with him: he brings with him a wealth of experience.”
Robinson will aid Stone at senior level as well as running the club’s academy, and after retiring in February this year because of a chronic hip problem the 31-year-old believes his own experience of the playing squad could be crucial in a revamped Huddersfield coaching set-up following the sacking of Paul Anderson last month.
“I’m only months removed from playing so I’d like to think I’m well respected within the group,” he said. “I hope Rick can lean on me in regards to the players and how they’re feeling. It could be a great relationship.”
Stone has the final two regular season games to assess his squad before the qualifiers get under way, and he admits he is excited to be thrown into what is a relatively alien concept for him as an Australian: a relegation battle.
“There’s a real reality of relegation here for sure,” Stone said. “It keeps you on edge because in the next couple of weeks, things get really serious at the back end of the season for us.
“A relegation system is not something I’ve experienced before but sudden-death footy has been around for a long time and, even though it can be quite daunting, it can be quite exciting at the same time.”
