Huddersfield Giants interim coach Liam Finn has admitted that it’s a major task that incoming head coach Jim Lenihan is undertaking, with his early expectations also set out.
Lenihan, who represented Huddersfield as a player in the late 1990s, is expected to land in England next week after being appointed as head coach of the Giants.
Liam Finn will certainly be in charge tonight against St Helens and he’s admitted that there’s a chance he takes charge away next week at Headingley if there are either delays to Lenihan’s arrival or if the Australian wants to take an observing role in his first week in the country.
Speaking in the club’s pre-match presser about his early interactions with Lenihan, Finn admitted: “I don’t think too much technical rugby’s being spoken about, because it’s going to be hard for any of that to get lost in space, travelling over. We’ll wait until he gets here and see what he sees and give a fresh set of eyes looking over us as a group and what we can offer him.”
As for what Lenihan is offering the Giants, Finn said: “A good bloke, first and foremost. Coming in with a real good attitude about working hard and sticking together, and basing it around those core values, and everything else off the back of that will take care of itself.”
Challenge Cup reaction, incoming head coach and major signing – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Huddersfield Giants a big job that requires big decisions, admits Finn
Whilst Lenihan will obviously give some direction and clarity for the Super League strugglers, his addition won’t magically fix the Giants’ problems and Finn admitted that the task at hand at Huddersfield is a big undertaking.
“I think the reality is we’re sat at the bottom of the Super League so the job’s big, you can’t hide away from the fact that it’s a big job,” Finn conceded.
“There’s going to have to be some big decisions made and that’s what he’s coming in to do, to make big decisions and change up what’s happening and what’s been happening so I don’t think there’s any hiding place from the fact that things need to change.”
He also explained that some things can and will remain the same with recent improvements noted, albeit they’ve come against in-form teams who were still able to overpower the Giants.
Finn saidL “Not everything needs to change, there’s some good things that happen and are happening and hopefully we are progressing and we’ve had a good month’s training where we’ve implemented a few things and we’ve improved on a few things.
“We’ve just so happened to have ran into a couple of really red hot teams that are right at the top end of the table in recent weeks and a couple of them have given us a harsh lesson and we have to learn from them.”
Another harsh lesson tonight from St Helens will give Lenihan plenty of food for thought on his long journey over from Australia. On the other hand, a strong showing will create plenty more positivity and buzz before his arrival.
