HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS coach Jim Lenihan says little has yet been decided on their halfbacks going forward – except that he wants Oliver Leyland in reserve.
Lenihan is looking to extend the short-term deal former London Broncos and Warrington Wolves playmaker Leyland signed earlier this month.
That’s despite him currently being behind Tui Lolohea and captain Adam Clune in the Giants’ pecking order.
“I think we’ve looked to extend Oli for next year,” said Lenihan.
“He profiles well for us as a football side and he’s someone who can sit as a good third halfback.
“He’s 25, he’s got experience, and if we’re missing a top half he can come in and do a job for us, and put pressure on them.”
It remains less certain who those first-choice halfbacks will be, with Lolohea and Clune both off-contract.
It’s been reported that Hull FC’s Jake Arthur is on the verge of signing, although Lenihan said they were working through other options.
“There’s a bit of due diligence going on – I think we’re speaking to a few halfbacks,” added the coach.
“There is no concrete evidence of a decision being made yet. We’re touching base with a few clubs and players, and Jake Arthur is certainly one who has come up on the radar because of his movement from Hull FC.”
Lenihan isn’t ruling out either Lolohea or Clune being handed new deals, with decisions on the pair to be made in the coming weeks.
He said both had been unfortunate during their time at the club, Clune through injuries – he’s played 14 times in the past two seasons – and Lolohea with the lack of a stable partner on the field.
“After Adam’s bad luck with injuries, it’s less about his ability to play good football, and more being on the field consistently,” Lenihan explained.
“The best ability is availability. We need to make sure we have people who can always turn up, train and play.
“Tui has been playing really well in this back part (of the season). There’s no doubt, once we have an on-ball halfback playing with Tui, it changes his mindset and the way he plays.
“It’s largely unfair to judge Tui on a season or two seasons of football where he hasn’t had a main halfback playing with him so he’s had to do mum and dad’s job at the same time.
“They understand where we are as a club and where they are as players. Now it’s about getting to the end of the year and coming to an agreement which fits us all.”