HUDDERSFIELD reckon they may have found a top fullback in Jacob Gagai.
The 29-year-old Queenslander made his NRL debut last year for South Sydney, going on to score nine tries in 17 games.
Most of those appearances came on the wing but, after signing a two-year deal with the Giants, he was given the number-one shirt vacated by Jake Connor’s departure to Leeds.
And Huddersfield coach Luke Robinson has confirmed that he sees Gagai taking the fullback position.
“He can play multiple positions but I think he can be really good at fullback,” said Robinson.
“The vast majority of his chances in the NRL haven’t been in that position, they’ve been on the wing or at centre, but throughout his career he’s played a lot of fullback and played extremely well there.
“He’s really fast and elusive. I love his work ethic and the way that he covers the ground, both defensively and with the ball. I’m really looking forward to him playing for us.”
He could feature in a back three alongside winger Adam Swift, who has pinpointed Gagai as a player to watch this season.
“You can already tell the quality that he possesses. He’s a skilful lad, quite nippy and agile,” said Swift.
“I’d say (he’s) the full package but I’ve not seen too much of him before. He’s looking a real weapon for us if we can keep him fit.”
Robinson still has a decision to make on where to play another new signing from South Sydney, Taane Milne.
Although mostly seen in the backline, Robinson may play him in the pack.
He said: “Taane has played a lot of his career in the centre but he’s also played second row and he’s played in the middle only recently for his international side (Fiji) and played well there.
“He gives us more of an X-factor. He has a great offload in his game and he plays second-phase rugby really well so that’s something we can hopefully adapt to and utilise.”