Huddersfield Giants’ new captain has labelled the appointment “very humbling” after his peers voted him to the role.
With club legend Leroy Cudjoe hanging up the boots at the end of the 2025 season, it was time for a changing of the guard at Huddersfield and that’s seen a new captain appointed with the Giants holding a player vote to decide.
Of course, that vote was then signed off on by head coach Luke Robinson with playmaker Adam Clune being confirmed as the club’s new captain ahead of 2026.
He’ll be supported by young forward Harry Rushton, who was named vice-captain, with the club confirming the news earlier this week as part of their warm weather training camp in Tenerife.
Speaking to his players when announcing the new skipper, Luke Robinson said: “I think he portrays everything we want as a Giants player. He’s tough, he’s a really good communicator, he cares deeply about his teammates, he’s a really good player on the back of it. Cluney is your new captain.”
The former Newcastle Knights man has now spoken on the club’s YouTube channel, reacting to his appointment, and he pointed out the significance of being recognised by his peers.
“It’s a huge honour because these are the blokes you train with every day so it’s nice for all the boys to have that faith in me to do the job,” explained Clune.
“It doesn’t change my role to much day to day. I play half-back so I sort of see that within my role anyway but to get the C next to your name is a really nice feeling, and it just makes me more excited for the year ahead.”
Adam Clune reacts to Huddersfield Giants captaincy appointment
Clune, who missed much of 2025 due to injury, echoed those sentiments of pride at his teammates having voted for him as he continued: “Whenever you play, for me personally I want to be a bloke that everyone wants to play with, so to get that sign of respect from the players was something that means a lot to me.
“To be a captain of a first grade rugby league club is something that is pretty special and given that I debuted at a later age that I would have liked, to be in this position now is really special to me.”
He also spoke about his past 12 months and how difficult they had been, something that makes the appointment even sweeter and makes him more excited for 2026.
The half said: “When you’re in rehab, you want to be amongst the group because it can be isolating and I think in the past 12 months, bar these last few weeks, I’d spent only seven weeks out of rehab so it’s been a really tough year.
“I’m a footy head, I love talking footy and getting involved as much as I can. I’ve been around for a while now and have learned a lot of things from a lot of smart people.”
He concluded: “Hopefully, 2026 is a better year for myself personally and I can stay on the field. With that captain role, I’d like to be able to play every game and lead the boys out. It’s very humbling and a massive honour.”
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