Andy Last preview’s the 251st Hull derby.
Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last.
Andy Last is hoping Hull FC get their just deserts at the Magic Weekend, so long as they bring the same physical intent as they did against Wigan Warriors last week.
Taking the game to Wigan, the Black and Whites won all the metre and territory stats, but they still were on the end of a strong penalty count against them.
That fact frustrated Last, who has challenged his side to bring the same physicality on Saturday afternoon, with Hull going up against the old enemy Hull KR at Everton’s slick Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Speaking to Hull Live, Last said: “We looked at the stats after the Wigan game and we dominated in a lot of areas. When you dominate yardage carries, metres, post-contact metres, etc., you normally get the result and you’re normally on the right side of the match officials.
“Considering we were the aggressors of the game and won certain aspects of the stats, we were on the receiving end of a 12-6 penalty count, which is something that frustrated me, but hopefully this week, we can continue with that intent and build on the performance of last week and put in another strong display.
“We know what’s coming. They (Rovers) have got a game model that all of their players have bought into. Willie (Peters, head coach) has got a good style and their yardage ‘D’ is excellent. They’ve got great line speed and the middles put in a lot of energy to keep you in your end of the field.
“We’ve got to combat our way out of that. We’ve got to make sure we run hard and run in shape and do everything we can to get up the field and start our defence with that same intent. We want to assert our physical dominance in the game.”
And while Last was frustrated with elements of the officiating last week, there’s no denying that his side have to look at their own improvements, and they fall no bigger than execution, with Hull needing to ice their opportunities to score.
“The execution message is something we’ve spoken about as a team,” Last said. “We’ve been in a lot of contests. We’re putting players into space and into shape, and we just need to ice those moments.
“Even the last game against Hull KR at Easter, it swung on a big moment, and that was the Lewis Martin try that was ruled out by the video ref. You could argue that he did score that but we need to nail it either way and make sure that there is no doubt. We’ve got to have a mindset as a team to play for 80 minutes and win those moments and be ready to execute those moments.”
Second best to the Robins in recent times, Hull are due a derby win after seven consecutive losses, a fact that isn’t lost on the Black and Whites.
“The guys are aware that they have won seven in a row,” Last said. “It’s a big game for us in terms of where our season is but also because it’s a derby and it’s at Magic Weekend. It’s significant for the club and the fans and the players are excited and looking forward to a full-blooded game.
“The stadium is superb. I was blown away by it with England. You can see how much money they’ve invested into it and the playing surface is immaculate. It created a brilliant atmosphere in the Ashes series.
“Willie experienced it too with Australia, so he knows what it is about. I’m looking forward to it and all the fans of rugby league will be there in big numbers and looking to generate a good showpiece weekend for us.
“Our fans at away games have been superb, and Hull FC vs Hull Kingston Rovers gets attention on both sides of the world. It’s a unique atmosphere, it’s spine-tingling, and it means a lot to both sets of players and our team and our club. We’ll be looking to do everything we can to get the result.”