VIKINGS centre Charly Runciman believes the three different pre-season games, with mixed outcomes, have got the team ready for the big kick off on Friday.

And he is confident of hitting the ground running against a Huddersfield side that they twice got the better of at the Select Security Stadium last term.

He also believes the strength of the Vikings squad, particularly with the advancement of the youngsters, is a bit deeper than last term , something that will needed if they are to cope with the heavy spring schedule that bit them last term after a fine start.

The former St George-Illawarra player said: “Pre-season has come to an end and the St Helens game was a test for us to find out where we were at and we discovered that.

“We are now looking forward to playing footy again.

“We just have to all set off as a group and be a little bit deeper as a squad, especially with the two double headers in the spring.

“Those three games in eight days are tough on the body. We have got to do it though.

“The squad this year is a bit deeper and if we have a few of those injuries we have a bit more cover.

“It is important to get our key blokes out there at the start of the year.”

Vikings surprised a lot of pundits with their seventh-placed finish last term, and it seems as though they will have to prove doubters wrong once again.

But predictions that Widnes will be battling at the basement will again be water off a duck’s back for Runciman and his colleagues.

“I don’t listen to what people say in the media – it will only dent your confidence if it is negative or give you a false sense of security if it is the other way,” he said.

“We have just got to do what we have got to do and prepare well each week for our opposition, and we will do that.”

First up is Huddersfield at home, a team who had a bit of a jolt last year, finishing in the bottom four and having to battle back into Super League through the Qualifiers.

With a good start needed in a very even, competitive division, it is a game Vikings must have on their win target.

Runciman said: “We beat Huddersfield twice last year and were really hot at the start of the year when we played them.

“When we beat them the second time that broke our losing streak.

“They have added a few players from Australia and over here so I am sure they will be better for that.

“We need to be better than we were against Saints.

“It is going to be an even competition and it going to come down to consistency. It is a very long season.

“Although we always like playing the top four teams – the Warringtons and Wigans – this year it is important that we play well against them all.

“We can’t just do what we did last year and beat Wigan twice and then not deliver against Wakefield and Castleford. We need to be more consistent and deliver those 8/10 performances each week.”