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Giants knocked Cats into shape
WAKEFIELD Trinity Wildcats boss John Kear believes tomorrow's opponents Huddersfield Giants did his side a favour – by inflicting their most embarrassing defeat of the season.
Huddersfield romped to a 54-6 win at Belle Vue on May 24, but Kear feels that result could prove to be a turning point in Wildcats' season.
"It is not about revenge," insisted Kear. "That was then and this is now. It might have done us some good, because we've won three out of four since then.
"I don't think it did us any harm. It didn't feel like it at the time but, looking back, I think it might have been a good kick up the backside.
"They gave us a good hiding, but we came back and had a good win at Celtic and we've had two more good victories.
"We are certainly playing a lot better than we were that weekend and prior to it. We feel in better nick."
A Danny Brough conversion, after the hooter, secured a nerve-tingling win over Harlequins last week, but Kear is looking for an improved performance tomorrow.
"We'll have to play better, no doubt about it," he said. "We defended pretty well and we kicked and chased pretty well, but we weren't very inventive with the ball.
"We will have to ask more questions of a very mean and tough Huddersfield defence."
Wildcats could be without former Huddersfield hooker Brad Drew, who has a rib injury. Centre Tony Martin (shoulder) is also a doubt.
Paul Whatuira is missing for Huddersfield after suffering migraines but Jamahl Lolesi (knee) is pushing to return.
Meanwhile, Kear has explained why he allowed former England half-back Jamie Rooney to join Co-op Championship high-fliers Barrow Raiders.
Kear said: "He has had injury-ravaged seasons ever since I have been here and this year was no different. He missed the start of the season, when we were playing well, but he came back and put in some good performances.
"We have had to shuffle the side around recently and Jamie's suffered.
"He wanted to play regular first-team rugby and I could not promise it. He has gone to Barrow and I wish him well."
Huddersfield Giants (from): B Hodgson, Whaturia, D Hodgson, Fulton, Robinson, Crabtree, Faiumu, D Griffin, Lolesi, Wild, Finnigan, P Jackson, Mason, Lawrence, Moore, Cudjoe, Lunt, Mossop, Sculthorpe.
Wakefield Wildcats (from): Blaymire, Martin, Atkins, Peterson, Brough, Demetriou, Snitch, Wilkes, Grix, Obst, Stosic, Bibey, Winternstein, Gleeson, Leo-Latu, Korkidas, Ferguson, Moore, Murphy.
Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington).
Kick-off: Tomorrow, 3pm.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
