Hi guys. First of all, sorry that there was no new "Getting To Know-" last week, I've been really busy. But for this week, I managed to ask Huddersfield and England centre, Leroy Cudjoe, a few questions on his career and Huddersfield's season so far.
Here's what we talked about-
Talk to me about rugby while growing up. Who inspired you to play rugby?
I got introduced to rugby through my grandparents and my mum. They've been massive giants fans for a very long time. When ever I went to my grandparents rugby would always been on, so one day at school I gave it a try and I've loved it ever since.
You've played for Huddersfield for your whole career. I was wondering, how were you picked up by Huddersfield?
I got picked up when there were 2 spaces available on the scholarship for u16s. Majority of my age group got invited down for a trial day with the club. I never got and invite but my coach at the time Steve Russell could send one player he thought was good enough. Luckily enough for me he picked me then a week later I got offered 1 of the 2 spaces available.
Do you remember your debut?
I will always remember my debut. It was the 1st game of the year at home against Leeds in 2008. I had a good pre- season and got a spot on the bench as my reward. It was one of the biggest crowds I've played in for a home game. The year before we had made the play offs and we signed some very good players, like Paul Whatuira, so everyone was expecting a big year from us. I came on after 50/60 mins to play fullback. We were losing and the game was done. But I enjoyed every minute of it.
Do you remember signing your first signature haha?
Not sure I remember my first signature, It might of been on a shirt one of the senior lads brought into training. When ever it was it felt strange. I use to be the kid asking for signatures.
You've also represented England, and of course especially in last year's World Cup! What's it like being picked to represent your country and being one of the best centres in the World?
It's a massive honour to get the opportunity to play for your country, it's what people dream of doing as kids. And I'm no different. Very special moment and something I will never forget. There's a lot of great centres out there so just to have the chance to play against them and test myself against the best is all I take from it.
What did you make of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup? Do you think it was successful for Rugby League here in England and it helped promote the sport and increase its popularity?
I thought the World Cup was a big success, most of the stadiums were packed out with good entertaining games being played too. I would like to think more people and sponsors got excited and involved in the World Cup. And I hope a lot more kids are playing rugby league because of it.
I'm going to bring up something that might bring back some mixed memories, (which I'll apologise for), but I'd like to ask about the semi-final vs New Zealand. Do you remember what you felt like and what the squad felt like in the changing rooms after the game?
Brings back bad memories, something that will stick with me forever but hopefully use it in a good way to push myself to help my teams I play with win a major trophy. The changing rooms after was very flat, we couldn't believe what had just happened.
Onto this season. It's been a bit of a roller-coaster for you guys this season, if I might say so. What do you think the team needs to improve on in order to win some trophies this year and keep up the good performances?
Been a really up and down year for us at the giants, but we are not that far off looking at the league. We need to as a team get back to playing more fluent in attack and playing a lot smarter in attack and defence. In the smaller games we've lacked intensity and the ability to work hard for each other which has then effected us in the big games.
What would you say has been the best performance for the Giants so far this year?
Our Best performance this year has been Wigan away and Leeds at home. We worked really hard and showed commitment and intent in them games. Thought we were unlucky to draw v Leeds.
We're just past the halfway mark in the season and so things are getting even more serious in the season. Do you and does the squad believe they could win the Grand Final this year?
There's no doubt that we as a club believe when we are on form and playing well we can win a trophy. But it's finding away to get some good consistent form which is the key. Hopefully that started in the last round v Wigan and we get some confidence and kick on.
Also, as we've all heard by now, you were called up again by England for their training camp in preparation for the Four Nations this year (congratulations!) . But this year, it seems that there is more competition than ever for places in the squad with so many talented players, like yourself. Do you think it has become a bigger competition to get a spot at England and do you believe the talent in the Super League has risen this year?
There's a lot more competition for places this year compared to last. A lot of the Knights boys have really stepped up and are starting to dominate and become key players rather then young players with potential. Also there's older players that have come back into some great form. Which can only benefit the Super League and England team.
What's the best stadium you've ever played at?
Best stadium in terms of atmosphere and quality of the pitch has to be Leeds.
Who's the toughest player you've come up against?
Toughest player has to be Sonny Bill Williams, by far.
Who would you say has been the surprise team in this year's Super League competition (good or bad)?
Castleford are definitely the surprise team, they playing with a lot of confidence and working hard for each other. They deserve the place up there in the league.
If you could say anything to the Huddersfield Giants fans, what would it be?
I'd like to say thanks for all the support, keep turning up and supporting us helping us grow as a club.
What do you like to do in your spare time away from Rugby League?
I enjoy spending time with my family and close friends, I don't mind a bit of Xbox too.
Finally, what's in store for you in the future? Would you like to have a couple more years at the Giants, or challenge yourself in a new competition, like the NRL or are you currently concentrating on your current season and performances?
Who knows what my future holds. Wouldn't be fair of me to comment on what I'd like to do within the next few years. Don't want to get people talking and starting rumours. I'm signed at Huddersfield until the end of 2016 and then who knows. I'm just focusing on trying to help my hometown club win a major trophy and be apart of a team to make history.
Some of the you guys also got to ask a few questions, over on Twitter. Here are the answers-
@shaungreen1989 asked- What's your favourite vegetable?
Haha, erm, broccoli.
@joshmilner asked- Who spends the longest in the shower?
Eorl spends longest doing his hair.
@davidjohngreen1 asked- Do you think Kevin Brown should be in England team? Best player in Super League this season, I think.
Kev has been playing really well and is one of the form players. Not really for me to say if he should be in or out that's down to Steve.
@aaranson_h asked- Who in the Giants squad is the worst dancer?
Got to be Jermaine, he has no rhythm what so ever.
Tom Little asked- What was the toughest thing about becoming a professional in Rugby League?
The toughest thing is the demands of training and games from amateur to academy then again from academy to first team.
Reiss York asked- Which players did you become closest with during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup?
I got to know a lot of the team really well, but I roomed with Kallum all the way through so I'd say him.
Les McAllister asked- What would you say to a young player aspiring to make it professional one day in Rugby League?
My advise would be make sure you have a good work ethic and do the right things away from the game. Talent alone won't get you very far, having the talent and still working hard and pushing yourself to become better and better will give you the best chance to succeed.
That's all the questions. Thanks again to Leroy Cudjoe for taking some time out to answer the questions. Go give him a follow and a thank you from me on Twitter, @Elroy_cudj.
Also, thank you guys for the questions, too!
Thanks for reading.
Here's what we talked about-
Talk to me about rugby while growing up. Who inspired you to play rugby?
I got introduced to rugby through my grandparents and my mum. They've been massive giants fans for a very long time. When ever I went to my grandparents rugby would always been on, so one day at school I gave it a try and I've loved it ever since.
You've played for Huddersfield for your whole career. I was wondering, how were you picked up by Huddersfield?
I got picked up when there were 2 spaces available on the scholarship for u16s. Majority of my age group got invited down for a trial day with the club. I never got and invite but my coach at the time Steve Russell could send one player he thought was good enough. Luckily enough for me he picked me then a week later I got offered 1 of the 2 spaces available.
Do you remember your debut?
I will always remember my debut. It was the 1st game of the year at home against Leeds in 2008. I had a good pre- season and got a spot on the bench as my reward. It was one of the biggest crowds I've played in for a home game. The year before we had made the play offs and we signed some very good players, like Paul Whatuira, so everyone was expecting a big year from us. I came on after 50/60 mins to play fullback. We were losing and the game was done. But I enjoyed every minute of it.
Do you remember signing your first signature haha?
Not sure I remember my first signature, It might of been on a shirt one of the senior lads brought into training. When ever it was it felt strange. I use to be the kid asking for signatures.
You've also represented England, and of course especially in last year's World Cup! What's it like being picked to represent your country and being one of the best centres in the World?
It's a massive honour to get the opportunity to play for your country, it's what people dream of doing as kids. And I'm no different. Very special moment and something I will never forget. There's a lot of great centres out there so just to have the chance to play against them and test myself against the best is all I take from it.
What did you make of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup? Do you think it was successful for Rugby League here in England and it helped promote the sport and increase its popularity?
I thought the World Cup was a big success, most of the stadiums were packed out with good entertaining games being played too. I would like to think more people and sponsors got excited and involved in the World Cup. And I hope a lot more kids are playing rugby league because of it.
I'm going to bring up something that might bring back some mixed memories, (which I'll apologise for), but I'd like to ask about the semi-final vs New Zealand. Do you remember what you felt like and what the squad felt like in the changing rooms after the game?
Brings back bad memories, something that will stick with me forever but hopefully use it in a good way to push myself to help my teams I play with win a major trophy. The changing rooms after was very flat, we couldn't believe what had just happened.
Onto this season. It's been a bit of a roller-coaster for you guys this season, if I might say so. What do you think the team needs to improve on in order to win some trophies this year and keep up the good performances?
Been a really up and down year for us at the giants, but we are not that far off looking at the league. We need to as a team get back to playing more fluent in attack and playing a lot smarter in attack and defence. In the smaller games we've lacked intensity and the ability to work hard for each other which has then effected us in the big games.
What would you say has been the best performance for the Giants so far this year?
Our Best performance this year has been Wigan away and Leeds at home. We worked really hard and showed commitment and intent in them games. Thought we were unlucky to draw v Leeds.
We're just past the halfway mark in the season and so things are getting even more serious in the season. Do you and does the squad believe they could win the Grand Final this year?
There's no doubt that we as a club believe when we are on form and playing well we can win a trophy. But it's finding away to get some good consistent form which is the key. Hopefully that started in the last round v Wigan and we get some confidence and kick on.
Also, as we've all heard by now, you were called up again by England for their training camp in preparation for the Four Nations this year (congratulations!) . But this year, it seems that there is more competition than ever for places in the squad with so many talented players, like yourself. Do you think it has become a bigger competition to get a spot at England and do you believe the talent in the Super League has risen this year?
There's a lot more competition for places this year compared to last. A lot of the Knights boys have really stepped up and are starting to dominate and become key players rather then young players with potential. Also there's older players that have come back into some great form. Which can only benefit the Super League and England team.
What's the best stadium you've ever played at?
Best stadium in terms of atmosphere and quality of the pitch has to be Leeds.
Who's the toughest player you've come up against?
Toughest player has to be Sonny Bill Williams, by far.
Who would you say has been the surprise team in this year's Super League competition (good or bad)?
Castleford are definitely the surprise team, they playing with a lot of confidence and working hard for each other. They deserve the place up there in the league.
If you could say anything to the Huddersfield Giants fans, what would it be?
I'd like to say thanks for all the support, keep turning up and supporting us helping us grow as a club.
What do you like to do in your spare time away from Rugby League?
I enjoy spending time with my family and close friends, I don't mind a bit of Xbox too.
Finally, what's in store for you in the future? Would you like to have a couple more years at the Giants, or challenge yourself in a new competition, like the NRL or are you currently concentrating on your current season and performances?
Who knows what my future holds. Wouldn't be fair of me to comment on what I'd like to do within the next few years. Don't want to get people talking and starting rumours. I'm signed at Huddersfield until the end of 2016 and then who knows. I'm just focusing on trying to help my hometown club win a major trophy and be apart of a team to make history.
Some of the you guys also got to ask a few questions, over on Twitter. Here are the answers-
@shaungreen1989 asked- What's your favourite vegetable?
Haha, erm, broccoli.
@joshmilner asked- Who spends the longest in the shower?
Eorl spends longest doing his hair.
@davidjohngreen1 asked- Do you think Kevin Brown should be in England team? Best player in Super League this season, I think.
Kev has been playing really well and is one of the form players. Not really for me to say if he should be in or out that's down to Steve.
@aaranson_h asked- Who in the Giants squad is the worst dancer?
Got to be Jermaine, he has no rhythm what so ever.
Tom Little asked- What was the toughest thing about becoming a professional in Rugby League?
The toughest thing is the demands of training and games from amateur to academy then again from academy to first team.
Reiss York asked- Which players did you become closest with during the 2013 Rugby League World Cup?
I got to know a lot of the team really well, but I roomed with Kallum all the way through so I'd say him.
Les McAllister asked- What would you say to a young player aspiring to make it professional one day in Rugby League?
My advise would be make sure you have a good work ethic and do the right things away from the game. Talent alone won't get you very far, having the talent and still working hard and pushing yourself to become better and better will give you the best chance to succeed.
That's all the questions. Thanks again to Leroy Cudjoe for taking some time out to answer the questions. Go give him a follow and a thank you from me on Twitter, @Elroy_cudj.
Also, thank you guys for the questions, too!
Thanks for reading.