Anderson hails Brough’s brand of active leadership

Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson has paid tribute to the way in which Danny Brough captains the Giants.

Brough, along with team-mate Jermaine McGillvary, was named as part of the 2015 Super League Dream Team earlier this week.

With an eagerly anticipated semi-final on Thursday evening against Wigan coming up, Anderson knows that Brough’s steely leadership, and active, qualities will be in high demand.

“That’s what captains do,” he told Love Rugby League.

“If you look at Wigan, they’ve got Sean O’Loughlin, and he’s more of a ‘do as I do, not as I say’ sort of person.

“Broughy’s the same. The reason we made him captain was because of his actions.

“His actions on the field show that he’s very, very competitive, and I think the team at the moment replicates his attitude.”

Brough was named in the Dream Team alongside Giants winger Jermaine McGillvary.

Anderson is pleased that the two players were named, though he also feels that some of the other Giants might have been in with a shout too.

“Obviously as a coach, I’d like to see more in there,” he said.

“There’s an argument for everybody. But to get a couple in there, we’re real pleased with that.

“We’re pleased for the two players. Jerry we don’t need to say anything about because his performances have been great.

“Broughy has probably not had the headlines he’s had over recent years, but he has contributed to everything we’ve done.

“He’s been very durable as well, and not missed many games.

“That’s helped him to get this recognition, and his performances speak for themselves.”

The Giants travel to Wigan on Thursday evening for the play-off semi-final, and the Huddersfield coach is optimistic that his team have the necessary quality to win the game.

“The motivation for us is to deliver on the big stage – that’s what we’re capable of,” he said.

“We did that to a large degree last Friday. I though that, from a neutral’s point of view, it was one of the best games of the season.

“Obviously there was a grandstand finish. From my point of view, what we have to do is ramp that up again and go.

“Our defensive resolve was outstanding last week, so we’ve got to make sure that when we create our chances we execute and get the rewards we deserve.”

As for the test that Wigan will pose to his team on Thursday evening at the DW Stadium, Anderson expects aggression and phsyicality to be to the fore.

“Shaun Wane will get them wound up, they’ll be physical and in your face,” he said.

“So we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready for everything.

“But they’ve got to make sure that they can handle what we’re going to throw at them too.

“We’ll be ready, they’re going to throw a hell of a lot of physicality at us.

“We’ve got some determination and grit between our teeth, and we’ll be alright.”