Departure message, frustrations, strengths and more -the latest Hull FC notebook.
Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last.(Image: SW PIX)
Departures, frustrations, strengths and more. Here is the latest Hull FC notebook.
Captains challenge and obstruction frustrations
Andy Last has laid out his frustrations with Super League’s captains challenge. Hull successfully challenged three decisions on Friday night before proving unsuccessful with their fourth attempt. However, the time taken to come to a verdict is proving to be a huge bugbear of coaches, and the Hull FC interim coach is no different in his view.
“I don’t think it’s a good look for the game,” Last said. “It’s not one I like – it just stops the flow. I thought both teams lacked a little bit of fluency in their attack, and I don’t think the actual way the games, not being refereed, but the way the game is as a spectacle at the moment is very pleasing. It’s just too stop start.”
Last also aired his thoughts on the lack of consistency with obstruction calls. Hull have seen two go against them in recent times, with Harvey Barron seeing a try ruled out at Warrington and Logan Moy at Bradford Bulls last month.
“We saw one in the cup final,” Last said. “Elliot Minchella; He took a tumble and the try got given. I don’t know where the difference is; it’s very, very similar, and that’s the frustration with the rules.
“We had one, I think it was three weeks ago (Logan Moy disallowed try at Bradford), where Zak Hardaker managed to get enough of an inside shoulder on Jaden Nikorima. Jaden Nikorima goes down and we don’t get the decision that afternoon.
“So, yeah, there’s probably been three or four where you question it; like I say, the Elliot Minchella one, that try gets given, and then tonight it gets chalked off. It’s strange.”
Hull FC coach’s message to departing player
Andy Last has wished young centre Ryan Westerman well after his cross city move from Hull FC to Hull KR.
Last said: “I just want to wish Ryan all the best. He’s a player with promise and he’s got some potential. He’s struggled the last couple of years with us in terms of injury and form, but he’s got an opportunity to go to Hull Kingston Rovers and go make a name for himself there.
“His pathway is probably a little bit blocked here with the emergence of Davy Litten, Arthur Romano, and Zak Hardaker. Ryan sees himself as a centre and there’s an opportunity for him to try and carve a pathway into the first grade at Hull Kington Rovers, so we wish Ryan all the best.”
Hull FC’s club strength
Sticking with the youth theme, Andy Last is confident that Hull FC have the structures in place to keep bringing through young talent. The likes of Logan Moy, Lloyd Kemp, and Will Kirby have got their shot in recent weeks, while Ben Johnson and Lennon Clark also debuted at Leigh.
“The club have made no secret of the fact that they invest heavily in the youth department and we’ve got some decent lads within the system,“ Last said. “The scholarship teams unbeaten at the moment, the Academy team are more than holding their end up, and the reserve grade boys have been competitive week in week out. We have got a good system and there is a pathway for the first team. Long may that continue.”
Reserves get big win against Huddersfield
Hull FC reserves scored ten tries to defeat Huddersfield Giants on Saturday afternoon, running out 50-12 winners at the University of Hull. Josh Horne, son of club legend Richard Horne, scored twice, with Will Hutchinson, Josh Harding, Owen Bartle, Elliot Middlemas, Ben Johnson, Lennon Clark, Henry Watkinson, and Ed Nolan – a player from the University of Hull rugby league team – crossing over.
Women defeated in the capital
Hull FC women were beaten 58-10 by London Broncos on Sunday afternoon. The Black and Whites trailed 34-4 at half-time with the Broncos pulling further ahead in the second half.