LIAM Finn shunned any talk about his prospects of succeeding Luke Robinson as Huddersfield Giants head coach after they stunned Wigan Warriors on Saturday afternoon.
Super League’s top-versus-bottom clash at The Brick Community Stadium saw the form book and the table turned on their heads as the Giants stunned the previously-unbeaten leaders in their first game since Robinson was sacked just under a week ago.
Assistant coach Finn and director of rugby Andy Kelly were placed in temporary charge and oversaw a 34-16 triumph as Huddersfield claimed their first win of the Super League campaign, although the former Ireland halfback shut down any talk about possible replacements or him earning the top job on a more permanent basis.
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“It’s a bit of a wasted question for me because that’s above my remit and outside of my jurisdiction, so I have no idea,” Finn told BBC Radio Leeds.
“I just concentrated on this week.”
Finn and Kelly had the relative luxury of being able to named a first-choice spine combination of fullback Niall Evalds, halfbacks Adam Clune and Tui Lolohea, and hooker Zac Woolford against a Wigan team missing star duo Jai Field and Bevan French.
That was something Robinson was not able to do during his 18 months in charge, and they seized the moment with Evalds scoring a try and providing an assist, along with Clune crossing the whitewash and Lolohea chipping in with an assist.
A Robinson recruit in centre Connor Wrench, who was lured out of retirement on a deal until the end of 2028 in the off-season, grabbed a try and assist on his Huddersfield bow and it made for an afternoon of mixed emotions for Finn.
“It’s really bittersweet emotion throughout the dressing room, the coaching staff and me,” Finn said.
“It’s difficult to process the emotions of it all with being happy to get the win and get off the mark, but bitterly disappointed my mate Robbo is not here who put the team together.
“Ironically, the week he’s not there, I get to name the one, six, seven and nine together in a starting team for Huddersfield Giants the first time in over 18 months and in Robbo’s tenure – so that stings a little bit.
“That doesn’t give me great pleasure, but obviously the result is pleasing and I know Robbo would have enjoyed that as much as anybody, especially at the place he made his Super League debut.”