ADAM CLUNE will lead Huddersfield Giants next season after being appointed captain.
The Australian halfback takes over from Leroy Cudjoe after the one-club man brought his 18-year playing career to an end.
Cudjoe, who is now on the coaching staff as transition pathway manager, led a five-man leadership group in 2025 which included both Clune and new vice-captain Harry Rushton.
It’s a big show of faith in 30-year-old Clune, who was limited to just six appearances this year because of injury after playing 26 times in his debut Huddersfield campaign of 2024.
“For Robbo (head coach Luke Robinson) and the boys to have that faith in me to do the job is massive,” said Clune, who previously played for St George Illawarra Dragons and Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
“It probably doesn’t change my role too much day-to-day, I play halfback anyway so I (lead) within my role at the moment.
“But to get the ‘C’ next to your name is a really nice feeling and it makes me even more excited for the year ahead.”
Huddersfield’s wider leadership group will include Zac Woolford, Adam Swift, Matty English and Tui Lolohea.
Robinson said it was the players who picked their leaders as he explained: “Adam Clune is really well respected within the group.
“The boys themselves picked a leadership group and he by far and away had the most votes. That proves that he’s respected by the group.
“He’s struggled a little bit with injuries over the last 12 months, but he’s probably shown in that time the type of leader he is.
“He’s articulate, he’s smart. One of the biggest things is he cares genuinely about the team, the group, the individuals within it.
“He’s experienced now as well. He’s a really intelligent rugby player who’s got a lot of experience, and I just think he’ll be really good for the group.
“Harry Rushton is only young in age but he’s showing a lot of leadership qualities. We think he’s going to be a leader of the future, and I think he can learn a lot off Cluney at this moment in time.
“And we’ve got lads in the leadership group as well, in Zac Woolford, Adam Swift, Matty English and Tui Lolohea, who can definitely aid both of them in leading this group.”