Brett Kearney’s first taste of Super League action was only an appetiser for the Bulls.

The Aussie stand-off showed glimpses of real promise in the season-opening defeat at Huddersfield but knows his new club are yet to see anything like his best.

Signs of rust in Friday’s clash at the Galpharm Stadium were not unexpected. It was Kearney’s first competitive action for almost 11 months, having missed all but 26 minutes of last season through injury.

But, alongside fellow Aussie arrival Matt Orford in the halves, he still managed to pose a few problems for the sturdy Giants defence, providing hope for a smooth transition to the English game.

Kearney said: “I enjoyed it but I still think I’m a fair bit off my best. There are a lot of things I could do better and things I can do each game to improve.

“It was good to be back out there though. Friendlies are a good start but there’s nothing like the real thing.

“We had prepared for a good start and we want to win every game, whether it’s the first round or the Grand Final, so it was disappointing.

“But it’s not affected our confidence. It’s a long season and we’ve got a lot of improvement.

“You will probably start to see the best of us as the season goes on. Until then we’ll do what we need to get the results and we’re confident of being able to do that.”

With a potential home debut against St Helens foremost in his mind, Kearney is keen not to let the disappointment of the Giants loss linger.

Like the Bulls, Saints enter Sunday’s game on the back of a round-one defeat and the 26-year-old former Cronulla star, pictured, hopes the home fans will play their part in an exciting occasion.

He said: “It’s good to be disappointed when you lose because it shows how much you care but you have to move on.

“St Helens have been a good team for years and years and won’t want to start the season with back-to-back losses, so it’s going to be tough, but we don’t want to start with two losses either.

“I can’t wait to play at Odsal for the first time – it’s not like anywhere else. From the first day I arrived here I’ve just wanted to get out there.”