Danny Richardson earned praise from Luke Robinson for his performance after just three training sessions with Huddersfield Giants as they opened the season with a 20-12 loss to Warrington Wolves.
The half-back joined the injury-hit Giants on loan from Hull KR ahead of Round 1 of the 2025 Betfred Super League campaign and was thrust straight into action having had little time to get up to speed.
Huddersfield head coach Robinson was pleased with how the 2017 Super League Dream Team selection slotted into the team, despite the defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium.
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“Danny Richardson, it’s not ideal bringing a half-back in who has only trained with us three times,” Robinson told Sky Sports.
“Bringing a half-back in before the opening round of the season, I thought he played really well and they’ve done everything asked of them.
“They’ve stuck close as a group, worked extremely hard and having worked extremely hard [against Warrington] there are just little areas of the game we can tidy up on.”
The Giants went into the match with no fewer than five players out due to injury and now have concerns over Sam Hewitt (rib) and Harry Rushton (head injury) following the defeat to Warrington.
The hosts had led through Tui Lolohea’s try and grabbed another through Joe Greenwood, both of which were converted by Richardson.
Robinson, however, was frustrated by the end to the first half where his side let the Wolves back into the game with an unconverted try and the way they conceded a 20-40 after the break when the visitors were pinned deep in their own territory.
It is those key areas he is eager to sharpen up in ahead of Friday’s Round 2 match away to Leigh Leopards.
“I think the effort and desire shown by the players was unbelievable,” Robinson said.
“I think we only had four play-the-balls in their 20 in the second half to their 20-odd, so it shows how gallantly we defended for each other and that’s all I asked of them.
“The team showed a lot of pride in the defence, I just thought there were key moments in the game which we didn’t handle very well.
“It’s just some smarts we probably need to fix up on as the season progresses.”
