HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS coach Luke Robinson revealed that Tui Lolohea almost missed their defeat to Leigh Leopards – because he was stuck on the motorway!
And it took the intervention of non-playing team-mate Jack Billington to save the day and ensured the halfback made kick-off at the John Smith’s Stadium.
“We like a bit of drama this season,” joked Robinson after the game, which Huddersfield lost 28-24.
“Tui actually got stuck on the motorway. There was an accident on the M62.
“Cluney (Adam Clune) and those in his car saw the crash and got off the motorway. Tui was a little bit behind and didn’t move.
“I got Jack Billington to drive up and Tui said that he was at Junction 23 and could see the A-road above him.
“So he said if someone could get to the A-road then he could swap cars. Jack got to the A-road and got in his car and Tui drove Jack’s car here.
“Jack is still sat there in Tui’s car!”
The Giants were down 28-6 at one point in the second half before mounting a late comeback to lose out by just four.
Robinson said: “Rugby league is about fine margins and we conceded a lot of soft tries.
“I thought we showed a lot of fight in us. When we were 28-6 down, there was a fight to stay in the game.
“We looked a lot more fluid with Adam Clune and Tui Lolohea in the halves and George Flanagan out the back.
“They are a really threatening team and put us under a lot of pressure in the end.”
