Patience – that’s the key for Hull FC half-back Jack Charles this summer, who has been told by head coach John Cartwright to keep being patient as he bids for his shot at first team level.
Craving rhythm, continuity, and the like, Charles is now fully fit again, playing half a dozen games now for both the club’s reserves side and on dual reg on Doncaster. Getting into the swing of things once more, Charles has overcome both hamstring and ankle injuries suffered in pre-season, with constant games now his desire.
Knocking on Cartwright’s door, Charles played a key role in a reserves derby victory on Saturday. Scoring one try, the 19-year-old also assisted two more in what was a classy account for the second-string outfit, who defeated Hull KR 28-12 in a largely one-sided affair at Cottingham Tigers’ Hilltop site.
But while there is satisfaction in playing again, there’s no hiding that Charles, who played 16 first-team games last season, wants more. But he knows the crack and what he has to do, with the young gun as focused as ever to keep improving and hit his goals.
Speaking to Hull Live, Charles said: “It’s just getting some rhythm, trying to play every week—it’s tough at this level, and it’s frustrating as a player, but it’s the situation we’re in, and we’ve got to deal with it.
“We train against some quality in the first team, and it’s just about getting as many reps in as we can and improving every week and in every session. I like to think that we’re doing that.
“John keeps telling me to be patient, and hopefully I’ll get my opportunity. I’ll just keep working hard in the background and keep looking to push Custy and Sezer and learn from them as much as I can, and Prycey too.”
One thing helping Charles right now is getting accustomed to the way Cartwright wants his halves to play. Under the Aussie head coach, there are no left- and right-pigeonholed halves. Instead, there’s a freedom to pop up on both sides of the field, to play and run the ball together.
It’s a style that Charles is confident in, and in playing alongside his mates in Callum Kemp, Will Hutchinson, and Logan Moy, one he believes will bring the best out of him.
He continued: “That’s what Carty has brought over. He wants us both to swing around and get our hands on the ball. The more times as spine players we can get our hands on the ball, the more chances we like to think we can create.
“We enjoy doing it, but again, it’s something Carty has brought over from Australia. It’s good. It suits me 100%. I like getting my hands on the ball as much as possible and creating opportunities for other people.
“Cal is the same. I love playing with Cal and Logan as well at the back and Hutchie at nine—I think we’ve got a really good combination, and hopefully it’s something that we could go into the first team with, but we understand that we’ve got a lot of work ahead both as a spine and individually as well, but these boys are my best mates, and I love playing with them. To do it all as a spine is pretty special.”
And as for the derby, there was a big smile on Charles’ face – who is back doing the thing he loves, both playing and winning rugby league matches. However, there’s also the desire to get better, to be the best player he can be.
“I’m buzzing to get the win,” he added. “It’s always nice to win a derby. It was a decent performance, but there are still plenty of areas to improve on individually and as a team, but it was a good win.
“For me, it’s improving defensively and with the ball still. I’m still a bit rusty, and again, playing every other week, it’s hard to get some rhythm, but I enjoyed it. It’s just good to be back playing.
“I’ll never be satisfied, but you can’t in this game—you’re never the finished article, and there are always areas to improve and work on to get better.”