Herman Ese’ese is ready to make up for lost time. Here is the Hull FC prop on confidence, rehab, positivity, and kicking on again.
Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese.(Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Professional rugby league is a lot more complex than riding a bike, but for Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese, there’s a resemblance to the old adage.
Returning to the side after nine months out with an Achilles injury, the powerful Hull front runner is determined to make up for lost time.
Confident he can rediscover the level of form that saw him in the running for the Man of Steel award before his injury last year, there’s a determination about the 31-year-old.
Ready to find his groove again, Ese’ese has picked up where he left off in terms of metre-making – displaying the same tackle-busting carries that have made him such a favourite in his time at the club.
And with the next chapter opening up, the player, ready to kick on again after such a long lay-off, is eager, with two off-the-bench appearances to his name, to continue to build up his minutes and his form and, ultimately, hit top gear once again.
“I’ve just got to take it one game at a time but my confidence is up and I’m ready to go,” Ese’ese, speaking to Hull Live before Hull’s game against Wakefield, said. “I’m 31 now; I’ve been playing this game for so many years and I know what game I bring.
“I’m always confident in my ability and the player that I am. It’s all about confidence and going out there and backing yourself and that’s what I do.
“There’s no pressure. I just want to come in and play. The more games I play, the more match-fit I get. I know I’m not going to hit the ground running in my first few games but I know in myself that I’ll get there. I’ve just got to go out there and whatever minutes I get, play my game and do my best for the team.”
Ese’ese has certainly done that so far, returning at Warrington Wolves and then contributing to Hull’s win over Huddersfield Giants last week, running for over 140 metres.
“I said to Lasty that it didn’t feel like I ran for that many metres,” Ese’ese continued. “I think my main focus for these first two games was just finding my feet again and blowing out the cobwebs and just getting used to it again.
“I’m happy that I got to get those metres up for the team and I’ve got the win there, so I just have to build on it and I know I can get better.
“I’m feeling really good. I was a bit sore a couple of days ago, but I’m getting by now. It’s good to be back. It’s been a journey from nine months ago, and it’s awesome to be back playing and be back in the black and white.
“It’s a bit weird to say but I did miss feeling like that (sore) post-game. I just missed the contact. I missed everything about it. It’s just so good to be back.
“I’m still getting used to the contacts, and these last two games I’ve felt like I’ve been hit by a truck, but it’s been nothing that an ice bath can’t fix.
“There’s been no problem with my Achilles and it’s feeling back to normal. If anything, it probably feels a lot stronger. I have had no problems with it and I think with two games under my belt, it’s built up a lot of confidence moving forward.”
Confidence has been key for Ese’ese, who admitted the nerviest he felt was prior to his comeback game at Warrington, preparing to play again after a long rehabilitation period.
“It was more the week before my return, before Warrington,” Ese’ese said on those nerves. “I had to tick a few boxes and get through a tough session and a tough week, and that was probably the most nervous I’ve been with my Achilles, but thankfully I got through it and I ticked all the boxes and felt really good. It’s just blowing off the cobwebs and getting back into the full swing of it now.”
Rupturing his Achilles against Leeds last summer, Ese’ese knew straight away the severity of the blow.
“I couldn’t believe it – I knew straight away that it was my Achilles,” the prop recalled. “I felt a little pop there and I went to go reach down. I felt like a little gap and I knew I’d done my Achilles and obviously I was really disappointed.
“I was really gutted after the season I was having and I just wanted to keep building on it and to go out like that, especially when we were pushing for a top six spot, which was really tough.
“I just knew that I was going to be out for a long time. It was my first ever big injury, and it took me a few days to come to terms with it but then it was just a case of cracking on with it and getting the surgery done and knuckling down with my rehab.
“It was a whole new experience for me, being injured, especially for that long and having a big injury like that. I was just lucky that I have got special people around me that have helped me get through the dark times. I’m just grateful for those people.
“My partner has done everything for me. My dog. He’s been there. He’s always there by my side. My little mate River, when I got my op and I couldn’t move for two weeks, I was bedridden; that’s the hardest part of the rehab, and he was always there right beside me every day, and just the people at the club, the medical staff, Gaz Ellis, and the coaching staff have all been supportive and always checking how it’s feeling and how it’s going, and yeah, I can’t thank those people enough.
“They definitely got me through the tough times, and now nine, 10 months later, here we are. I feel good, I feel strong, and I just want to put my best foot forward again for this club. I’m always a positive person, and I’m here now, and I’m happy where I’m at now. I’ve got two games under my belt, a lot of confidence, and I’m ready to kick on.”