HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS coach Nathan Graham has challenged all members of his squad to step up and replace injured captain Bethan Oates in more ways than one.
Oates suffered an ACL injury in training during pre-season which has seen her ruled out for the entire Super League campaign, and Graham knows that is as much of a blow in the changing rooms as it is on the field.
But with a number of experienced players now among the Giants squad, at least one of them will have to step up and guide the team on the field, while Oates remains an influence off the field.
“Bethan is the taliswoman of the group, so it is a massive blow to lose her,” said Graham.
“She’s a good voice and a good person to have around and obviously she’s a great player too. But we’re keeping her on board and keeping her involved throughout her rehab process as part of the coaching group, so she’s still there at training sessions and on a game day, which is important for both the team and her.
“She’s a person that the girls listen to and respect, so she’ll do a good job for us.
“There’s no ways around it, this is sport, and a contact sport at that, so people are going to get injured. While it’s really bad for Bethan, it does give someone else an opportunity to roll the sleeves up and say, ‘I’m going to fill that roll now, I’m going to springboard up into this team and I’m do the best for everybody.’”