Nathan Brown praised the strength in depth of his Huddersfield squad after the Giants came from behind to ease past Hull and into the fifth round of the Challenge Cup.
Despite sitting pretty atop the Super League table, former St George Illawarra coach Brown named an almost full-strength side to face an injury-hit Hull at the KC Stadium.
But it was the home side that raced into a 14-0 lead in the first half before the Giants scored eight tries to secure a 42-16 victory.
Brown was keen to highlight the whole squad’s input in securing safe passage into the next round, but he couldn’t help single out David Faiumu for special praise.
“No side does anything without a good bench and obviously our bench was more experienced than theirs,” Brown said.
“We’re fortunate that at the moment we’ve got a lot of blokes who have just come back from injury and it enabled us to have a bench that could have impact.
“I thought David Faiumu’s involvement just before and just after halftime was really crucial for us.
“I thought physically we weren’t too hot in the first half. Sammy Moa absolutely annihilated us in the first half. He was outstanding.
“Physically I thought we were average and they were quite good. We were behind the eight-ball but at least we maintained our composure and to score 40 points in the second half and keep them out was pleasing.”
Meanwhile, Hull KR boss Craig Sandercock was left wondering what might have been as his side crashed out of the competition despite outscoring Catalans Dragons four tries to three in their 20-18 defeat.
The Dragons led 20-0 at one stage but four tries had Hull KR in contention of progressing, only for some wayward kicking from ex-Canberra Raiders halfback Michael Dobson costing his side with three missed conversions.
“I’m just dwelling on losing a game of rugby that we really should have won,” said Sandercock.
“It’s not every game you score more tries than your opponent and lose a game. It’s devastating.
“When you score four tries to their three, you expect to win the game.”
And Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith hailed his young stars after he rung the changes and still downed Keighley 44-18.
“I thought Jordan Burke in a pressure position at fullback did exceptionally well and was pretty much faultless in what he did,” Smith said.
“Brad Dwyer keeps turning up and keeps scoring tries and Ben Currie doesn’t look out of place.
“Gaz O’Brien did a good job, but the best player for me was Tyrone McCarthy.”
Elsewhere, Sunday saw Michael Witt cross for two tries and kick seven goals as he notched a 22-point haul as London Broncos saw off Dewsbury 72-4.
Ex-Bradford Bull winger Patrick Ah Van missed the chance to tie Widnes Vikings’ game with St Helens with four minutes left when his conversion attempt from his own try struck the post, meaning they lost 40-38.
Nick Youngquest’s try was in vain as Castleford were dumped out of the cup by Championship leaders Featherstone 23-16.
Leeds got the better of Wakefield 38-18 while Super League sides Bradford, Salford and Wigan all navigated lower league opposition to take their place in the next round.
