Giants still walking tall, insists Hodgson

Huddersfield captain Brett Hodgson insists there are reasons to be cheerful in the Giants camp - despite their narrow 14-10 defeat to Warrington this weekend.

Full-back Hodgson was powerless to prevent the Wolves from coming from behind at the Galpharm Stadium to secure the two points.

Huddersfield's season has yet to get off the ground and the loss to high-flying Warrington was their second defeat in their four games so far this season.

But ex-Wests man Hodgson - who earned the player of the season 'Man of Steel' award in his debut Super League campaign in 2009 - insists Nathan Brown's men will return to form sooner rather than later.

"There were a lot of positives to come out of the Warrington game even if the result wasn't one of them," said the 32-year-old. "Warrington were a lot quicker off the mark than we were but we showed some good heart to come back into it but we are disappointed we couldn't prevent the defeat.

"But it gives us something to build on and we'll work hard in the week to try and make sure that we return to winning ways."

Wigan coach Michael Maguire insisted Pat Richards' record-breaking performance against Catalans Dragons hadn't surprised him.

The ex-Wests star helped plunder 38 points, which surpassed Andy Farrell's club record of 32 against Huddersfield a decade ago, in the Warriors' 58-0 romp.

Richards bagged five tries, including four in the first-half, and added nine goals on a dream night for the 28-year-old.

Maguire lavished praise on his in-form winger.

"Pat was fantastic and it is credit to him because he deserves that for the amount of work he has been putting in," said the former Melbourne Storm assistant.

"He was great and I really felt for him when he hit the post with his last kick that denied him 10 from 10.

"The first-half performance really pleased me - we completed 95 percent of our sets and that set the tone for the game. It is something we've worked on a lot." But under-fire Dragons coach Kevin Walters blasted his side after they were ripped apart at the DW Stadium to continue their miserable start.

The France-based side, beset by injuries, have failed to pick up a point yet and the former Brisbane Broncos star said: "I just feel embarrassed for the club. "We just have to look forward to next week now because there's not a lot we can take out of the game, except a lot of embarrassment." "My attitude doesn't change if we win or we lose. We will work hard again next week and see how we go."

Meanwhile, St Helens coach Mick Potter showered skipper Keiron Cunningham with plaudits after the hooker scored on his 500th appearance in the 22-16 win over Wakefield.

Potter - a one-time Canterbury and St George full-back - said: "I think Keiron just wants to get some normality back after reaching the landmark.

"He just wants to do what he does well and that's play rugby league. It's pleasing to have him in the squad and he showed his value to the team."

AFP