19 May 2023 , 16:00
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Jake Bibby has no intention of losing his Huddersfield place again as he bids to kick-start their season by firing up a Betfred Challenge Cup charge.
The prolific winger, 26, has found it tough since switching from Wigan in the off-season. He played three games early on but was dropped after the 14-12 loss against Wigan on March 17. Bibby was left out by Ian Watson for almost two months before finally getting a spot back in last week’s 30-4 home defeat to Leigh.
He lines up again at Salford Red Devils in Saturday’s Challenge Cup sixth round tie as out-of-sorts Giants aim to secure a first win in four outings. Bibby, 26, told the Daily Mirror: “It’s always tough when you’re not playing. I had a run of games but with the competition and depth of the team here, you make one mistake and someone else can easily take your place. It’s all about playing well and keeping that shirt. I’m happy to be back in there and it’s down to me now to keep that shirt, wherever it may be - wing, centre, wherever he puts me. I just want a good run of games now to get back going.”
With Kevin Naiqama and Esan Marsters dominating the centre spots, there’s been a huge battle for Huddersfield’s wing places with even ex-England Jermaine McGillvary currently unable to get a slot. Bibby and Leroy Cudjoe got the nod last week but former Wigan wideman Sam Halsall, Ash Golding and Innes Senior have all also featured there this season. Bibby, meanwhile, has happy Challenge Cup memories after helping Wigan dramatically edge Huddersfield 16-14 in last year’s final at Spurs.
He now wants to lift the trophy in claret and gold and said: “I’m really looking forward to Saturday. I’ve really fond memories of last year. I’m on the opposition side this time with Huddersfield who I think actually deserved to win it last year.
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"Right up to the last few seconds they looked like they would until that bit of magic from Harry Smith and Liam Marshall picked it up to score. I wouldn’t change it for the world. But I think the Huddersfield team now has a bit of hunger now on the back of that. They had a bit of a taste of it and feel like they did deserve to win it so it’s now a big focus of ours to get back there and get that silverware.”
Bibby in action for former team Wigan Warriors (PA)First they have to overcome Bibby’s other former club Salford. He scored 36 tries in 79 games for them between 2015 and 2019 before joining Wigan. Huddersfield won 26-16 at the AJ Bell Stadium in last month’s Super League meeting but Bibby said: “I always think Salford are a good side. When I was there under Watto and they’ve changed coaches since but they always like the flamboyant side and like to chuck the ball about. They pose threats across the entire pitch so always have to be on your toes. You can’t switch off. It will always be a good game against them and it’s never dull.”
But Giants have been woeful in recent weeks having also been hammered 28-0 at Hull KR and losing at Hull FC before that Leigh debacle. Bibby said: “We’ve had some injuries to our spine but with the squad we have it shouldn’t be a problem. I just feel like we shouldn’t take it negatively. We should be learning lessons from this. Going through training this week I do feel we’ve learned a lot of lessons and trained really well. We have to think positively. There’s no point looking back at games and letting it bother us. We have to get past that.
“I was involved in one of those games last week and it was embarrassing to us. There’s nothing better than a Challenge Cup game in which to put it right. It’s knockout, do-or-die and if we do well this week it should spur us on for the league.”