Huddersfield’s reward for beating Hull FC in the quarter-finals is a date at Elland Road with Hull KR, the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition.
But confidence is present in the Giants’ camp after starting the season with seven wins from nine games in the league and cup.
“The way we’re playing at the moment, I would have been confident playing against Saints or Wigan,” Lolohea told The Yorkshire Post.
“We’re not scared. We’re pretty confident we can match them with the best team in St Helens.”
“Obviously they are the reference point and sometimes you want to play against those teams to know where you are.
“We will play against them on Easter Monday, so it will be a good test to see where we are against the best team.”
Next week’s Super League clash with the defending champions at John Smith’s Stadium comes on the heels of Thursday’s trip to Leeds Rhinos.
The Giants will also face Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity in preparation for next month’s semifinal.
Lolohea is sensing a great opportunity to bring the cup back to Huddersfield for the first time since 1953.
“One hundred percent,” he said.
“We’re 80 minutes from the final and it’s crazy to think so early in the year. We’ve done well so far but it’s just the beginning.”
“We’ve got a pretty big game against Hull KR in a couple of weeks. They’re starting to get their form back so it’s going to be a good game.”
“Hopefully we can get through this Easter period of so many games in so many days and then we look forward to a long turnaround to a semi-final.”
Lolohea has played a prominent part in Huddersfield’s impressive early-season form following his move from Salford Red Devils, prompting Watson to label him the best full-back in the Super League.
The 27-year-old laughed off his manager’s statement but admitted he feels confident from the kind of praise he received in the opening months of the season.
“I don’t know what he’s up to right now,” Lolohea joked.
“It’s good to hear these things sometimes, especially for me because I probably haven’t had something like this in a long time.
“I’ve had a rollercoaster career so I’m really happy to start this way. But it’s just the beginning and I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself thinking I’m this and that. There are other quality full-backs in the competition.”
Lolohea was expected to team up with Theo Fages in a new running back partnership, only for Watson to throw a curveball.
With Will Pryce, Ashton Golding and Olly Ashall-Bott vying for the full-back role earlier in the year, Watson opted for Lolohea in a move that caught even the player himself by surprise.
When asked if she saw the change coming, Lolohea replied, “No, I didn’t actually see it.
“I played there before, but I didn’t expect it. Initially he came to play midfield, but he is our manager for a reason and he knows what he is doing.”
“He has faith in me and that’s all that counts.”
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Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-04-11 16:40:01
