The Hull FC veteran on the club’s season aim, his new deal, the side’s attitude test, and Steve McNamara.
Hull FC’s Zak Hardaker celebrates scoring a try.
Zak Hardaker has reaffirmed Hull FC’s top six stance and believes they still have a squad that is capable enough to get there.
The Black and Whites are just two points adrift of the play-offs after Friday’s 50-10 away victory at Castleford Tigers, their fourth win of the year, and all despite a crippling injury crisis including the likes of Will Pryce, John Asiata, Sam Lisone, Harvey Barron, Jed Cartwright, and Arthur Romano.
However, for Hardaker, the capability to achieve a first finals finish in six years is still there and all centres on attitude, with Hull next in action against Toulouse Olympique this Sunday afternoon – a game they will be heavily favoured to win.
Looking to build some confidence and momentum, with a week off and a trip to injury-hit Bradford Bulls on the horizon, Hardaker told Hull Live: “We’re really confident we can still get in the top six. We’re only a couple of points behind having lost some fixtures that we probably should have won.
“We’ve still got a really talented squad and I believe fully in our approach to the week and our games. We just need to get some momentum now and follow up with another win.
“It’s all about our attitude. We go into every week thinking we can win; it doesn’t matter who the club is, the size of the club, or their form at the time; it’s about us, and us producing on the day.
“We’ve been training well all week and then sometimes we’ve not turned up on gameday with the right attitude and we’ve got beaten. We know how crucial the next couple of weeks are.”
Looking to maximise a top six push, Hull know they need continuity in selections. But Hardaker, for one, who has played in the full-back, half-back, centre, and back-row spots already this year, is content to do his job wherever asked.
“It’s probably a big reason why I’m enjoying my rugby,” the veteran, who recently signed a new one-year deal for the 2027 season, said. “It’s probably not the most ideal thing in the world, being in different positions each week, but the confidence the coaches have got in me to do a job and fill a void shows that I’m doing something right and they want me and need me on the team.
“I’m happy to do any job that’s required, and I’ll do my best in any position – whether back row, centre, half-back, full-back, or even prop – I’ll do that as well. I’m happy to play whatever position is needed for the team.”
On his new deal, Hardaker continued: “It was one of the easiest I’ve ever done. I love being at the club. My kids love being at the club. My family loves coming along as well. It was a very easy decision for me.
“I’m really enjoying my role and being an older man, an older statesman, and just trying to lead the way with the right actions and the right attitude. I’ve really enjoyed my year and a half here so far.
“I’m more grown up now, and having a steady life outside of rugby is definitely a lot easier for me. I’m coming to work with a smile on my face, and I’ve got people looking up to me and having that trust in me as a leader and someone they can follow, which gives me that self-belief, like I’m an important member of the group.
“It makes me want to go out there and express myself as much as I can and lead from the front. I’ve always enjoyed doing that and I try my best in that regard.”
And while he still has 18 months to run on his deal, Hardaker hasn’t ruled out the possibility of going ahead in 2028 – even if he’ll be 36 years young at the time.
“My body is pretty sweet and I’m feeling pretty cool,” he said. “My mentality is still the same: I want to win everything I do. I really enjoy it, so as long as those three things continue to align, I’m happy to keep playing.
“I want to stay at Hull. I want to keep playing at the highest level for as long I can, but the minute I’m not operating at that level, I’ll be the first one to pull away from it.
“I’m not going to be a passenger in a team; I want to bring something to the organisation. As long as I’m performing on the pitch, I’m hopeful I’ll be alright.”
Hardaker will also be reunited with Steve McNamara next season, first working with the Hull-born coach while in the England setup.
Impressed with the work McNamara did to unite the side, with well-known issues between St Helens and Leeds Rhinos players at the time, the veteran added on Hull’s coaching appointment: “I think his resume speaks for itself. He’s done a tremendous job, especially at the Catalans Dragons. He’s had his stint in the NRL, too; he’s a high calibre of coach and everyone is aware of what he has done.
“I had him as England coach and he was terrific. I’ve spoken about him publicly before but as England coach, he galvanised the group; he brought everyone together when it was a bit separate. He’s a great coach and he’s someone the club can really look forward to bringing in for next year.”
But in the meantime, it’s all about 2026, with Hull looking to reach the finals for the first time since 2020. The man in charge then? Current interim boss Andy Last.
“It comes full circle, doesn’t it?” Hardaker smirked. “We’ll be alright.”