Jake Arthur on Hull FC’s ‘outstanding leader’, taking control, and the catalyst for victory.
Hull FC half-back Jake Arthur celebrates victory with Cade Cust.
Jake Arthur relished his leading Hull FC half-back role against Leeds Rhinos, but the Aussie was quick to pay tribute to John Asiata after an ‘outstanding’ performance. The Black and Whites were good value for their 24-16 win on Sunday afternoon, with their captain for the day leading them to victory.
But Arthur, stepping up as the dominant half in the absence of Aidan Sezer, also played his part, passing, kicking, and defending well throughout in what was his best display for the club to date.
Speaking to Hull Live post-match, Arthur was also quick to praise the team dynamics, in particular for his opening try. He said: “I definitely enjoy taking control and playing that style of game. John Asiata really helped me in that middle. He really took control of the middle and we worked together well.
“I think everyone stepped up, everyone did their job, and it showed in the result. But playing with Asiata, it’s awesome. He just falls into shape so easily, and as a half, he gives you so much time and space. Also, what he does defensively, he plays big minutes, and just coming back from injury, I thought he was outstanding.”
On his try, which saw Arthur link up with James Bell to carve open the Leeds defence and give Hull an early lead, the half-back continued: “It was a good way to start the game. Again. John Asiata took control of the game and he got me in the ball in the middle in the right spot. Belly adopted on the right; we’ve practised that at training, and we were lucky it came off in the game.”
Playing with an energy not seen so far this year, the result ended a run of four successive defeats in all competitions for Hull, and while confidence and belief never wavered during that spell, it hopefully gives the side a springboard to kick on and find some form.
“It’s the rollercoaster of footy,” Arthur said. “You have a tough few weeks and then to get a win like that in front of our home fans, it was an unbelievable feeling. That was my first time being able to experience that after the game. It was awesome.
“You really felt the momentum. When we started to get on the front foot, the crowd started to get louder and louder. I thought we really built off that.
“That’s the most energy we’ve played with all season. Every time we forced an error or turned them away, winger to winger, everyone was in there celebrating. If something went wrong, it was also the same thing.
“It’s a massive win for us. Leeds are a very good team. We’ve known it’s been there for the last few weeks, but now we’ve put that out on the field, we can keep building on that and keep going after it.”
The win was also Arthur’s first win over Dad and Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur after tasting defeat to Parramatta while a Manly player back in 2023. But the player won’t be rubbing it in.
“It’s nice to get one over him but he’s beaten me in the past and he hasn’t rubbed it in too much,” Arthur added. “I’ll let him off the hook.”