Hull FC have some team calls to finalise and have hit back at a recent critic.
Hull FC half-back Jake Arthur.
Hull FC head to Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night looking to right the wrongs of last week’s defeat to York Knights. As for selections, there are still some calls to make, with head coach John Cartwright also hitting back at a recent critic of his side.
Elsewhere, Hull FC’s reserves were also in action last weekend against a highly promising Warrington Wolves outfit, with two Black and Whites making their returns from injury. Here is the latest notebook.
Spine call
Hull FC are aiming to run with the same spine that started last week – providing that Aidan Sezer gets through Wednesday’s captains run unscathed. That will see Jake Arthur in the halves alongside the skipper, with Amir Bourouh at hooker and Davy Litten at full-back. However, if Sezer is ruled out, then Cust looks set to start over Callum Kemp, who may then cover the bench spot akin to the round two game at Wigan. Logan Moy is another option.
“It’s all been forced changes,” Cartwright said on his spine tweaks so far. “We’ve experimented with Callum at half-back and Cade off the bench, but Cade’s experience playing the whole year there last year probably serves us better in the short term. Hopefully Aidan is okay this week; Jake’s there and Amir is there.
“Full-back-wise, Logan had his first game back this weekend, but Davy has worked really hard and we’ll look to give him the opportunity again. We’ll see how things pan out come Thursday.”
Hull are also hoping to debut James Bell this week. The loose forward – who will work in tandem with John Asiata – is named in the squad, with a decision to be made in the team run.
Cartwright hits back at fitness critics
John Cartwright has his back at critics surrounding Hull FC’s fitness – and while there is an acceptance that his side need to improve the rugby elements of their performance – the head coach insists that his players are hitting the mark on where they need to be in terms of their fitness.
“I don’t know where that’s come from but they’re more than welcome to come watch them train,” he told Hull Live when asked about those concerns. “There are no issues with our fitness at all. They’re fitter than they’ve ever been in my time here.”
As for the ruck speed so far this year, with a quicker play the ball implemented, Cartwright continued: “I think we need an understanding sometimes of why they’re given.
“It’s such a subjective issue where some referees will wave six to go and some don’t. It’s probably always going to be there because it is subjective. It’s not black and white. I’m not worried about it. We’re aware of it. We knew it was coming – we’ve just got to deal with it.”
New signing adapting to Super League
Cartwright has praised new recruit Connor Bailey for stepping up to the side early on this season – with the back rower now set for an extended run.
“He’s had a really good pre-season, has Connor,” the head coach said. “He’s hardly missed any football and he didn’t have to be that patient, did he? He’s had a crack – he came off the bench at Wigan and started against York last week. I thought he did his job really well.”
Young stars getting targeted
Hull FC are well aware of the extra attention Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron are getting this year after breakthrough seasons, but he’s also calling on the team to get into better positions and not allow the opposition to constantly pin Hull in the corners, thus their outside backs doing a lot of tough backfield carries.
“I’ve spoken to both of these boys about this,” Cartwright said. “They’re getting targeted now. They had really good years last year and they were a really big part of our team at both ends of the field, bringing it out of our own end and then finishing for tries.
“They’ve been pressured so far. We’ve got to get used to that and help them. But there’s no easy way when the opposition kicks into the corner and you’ve got to bring it out with ten blokes bringing baseball bats. You’ve just got to be tough.”
Two welcome comebacks
Hull FC reserves were humbled 42-4 at Warrington Wolves last Saturday, with Logan Moy getting over for a late consolation try. The full-back made his first appearance of the year following a calf injury picked up in pre-season. He was joined by Joe Phillips, who made his return off the bench after a recent leg injury. The reserves are now one from two, defeating London Broncos in their opening game of the season. They are next in action against Hull KR on Sunday, 15 March while the academy get their season underway at Wakefield this Saturday.