Hull FC’s new half-back has seen no difference to the NRL
Hull FC half-back Jake Arthur.
Jake Arthur has no complaints with Super League’s new ruck interpretations this year and insists it’s down to Hull FC to turn them in their favour.
The RFL officials have been instructed to crack down on ruck infringements this season, with holding down and the like now more strictly penalised. That has resulted in a quicker game, with the play of the balls now thought to be around one second quicker than in previous years.
Of course, the changes have brought some concern, especially given the speed of the ruck now is down to each official’s interpretation, but for Arthur, it’s pretty black and white. For instance, if you get a strong defensive contact, you can dominate the tackle and peel off the attacker, but if the attacker is on the front foot, then the ruck is naturally going to be quicker, and in the half-back’s view, that’s exactly how it should be.
“They’ve just changed the interpretation of it all,” Arthur told Hull Live. “I like it. It’s how it should be. If you’re playing good footy and earning quick play the balls, then you deserve to play at that speed. If you’re getting dominated, then you deserve to play it slower. That’s rugby league.
“I haven’t really noticed a big difference at all (from the NRL). There are times when you’re getting bashed on your own line and it’s a bit slower but again, that’s how it should be. If you get dominated in the tackles, then it should be a slower play the ball.”
Hull have felt that force more than most so far this season, playing all four of their Super League games so far on the back foot. Changing that reality is now the goal, with Arthur back in the side after a double hamstring strain and confident that Hull can improve their line speed, contacts and completions to get some wins on the board.
“It’s a good competition over here,” he said. “It’s very tough and the line speed is very good. A lot of the teams here are very fit and they fly off the line. It’s very defence focused. But I’ve enjoyed it.
“It’s good fun to watch. I watched the game in Vegas and what Wigan have been able to do to start the year – it’s good footy to watch. It’s entertaining.”
Settled into East Yorkshire, Arthur is hoping to transfer off-field comforts onto the field, with the half set for his third consecutive run out at Leigh Leopards in the Challenge Cup this weekend.
“I’m enjoying it,” he said on life in Beverley. “It’s a really good spot. A lot of the boys live around there. We’ve just got a really tight-knit group. Everyone gets along and everyone is always doing something.
“I’m loving it. We hang out a lot – I’ve had a lot of coffee. I’ve gotten into the football now as well and I’ve watched a few games. I like Leeds United. I went to a game when I first came over. That’s my team over here.”
And as for Hull’s form, Arthur added: “We’ve just got to keep building combinations. There’s plenty to improve on. We’ve just got to keep on working hard and go from there.”