Interim head coach Andy Last has praised the attitude and application of the Black & White first-team, as the squad begin their final preparations for their Betfred Super League restart this coming weekend.
Explaining there is a good level of “energy” within the squad as they enter their third and final week of preparations ahead of the restart, Last is just six days away from taking charge of his first game at the helm of the Airlie Birds.
Hull take on Salford at Emerald Headingley on Sunday after the season officially resumed yesterday in West Yorkshire, and Last believes his side are in a positive place, while heaping praise on severeal individuals.
Speaking to hullfc.com, Last said: “On the evidence of the two weeks I’ve seen, there is a really good energy about the players and a big excitement amongst them too. It bodes well for the big kick-off this weekend.
“In terms of being physically ready and their bodies being match hardened, I think we can all agree that we would like a little bit longer, but we will just get on with it.”
When asked which players have stood out in training so far, Last continued: “It is a case of who hasn’t stood out. The players have come back in great shape and have a real spring in their step – they’ve applied themselves very professionally so far.
“The likes of Mahe Fonua, Albert Kelly, Chris Satae and Andre Savelio have come back in good nick and that makes the selection process all that more difficult.
“We have a great group of senior guys leading by example. We’ve made a few subtle changes in terms of our training plans and they have embraced that and help set the standards.
“The younger blokes in the form of Joe Cator, Jack Brown and Jordan Lane are all in outstanding shape. We’ve spoken at length about how deep the squad is, and I’m really looking at a group of 30 blokes that I can pick from over the course of the next few months.”
And Last believes the younger members of the squad will get their opportunity to shine in the coming weeks and months, adding: “They’ll get their chance. I have spoken to those guys individually about how I plan to rotate the squad as much as possible, because it is going to be a real battle of energy this season. With less recovery time, adding in fresh bodies is going to be key.
He also praised powerful winger Mahe Fonua, who after returning to the Black & Whites for the 2020 season, missed several fixtures in the first few months of the campaign due to injury – but Last believes the former Tongan international will be back to his best.
“Mahe has a real energy about him. He is an emotional leader for us and when he is at his best, he has the fans eating out of the palm of his hands with his whole-hearted passion.
“It’s infectious to the team and to the supporters too. He’ll be the first to admit it was a tough start to the season for him, with his foot injury from West Tigers affecting him at the start. But he just started to come back good before his rib injury against Warrington and I think we will see him back to his best.”
Last also admitted it is clear playmaker Albert Kelly is keen to go out with a bang in 2020; the half-back confirmed during lockdown that he will return to Australia at the end of the season after a four season spell with the club.
“It’s clear to see he wants to go out in style here. He has a constant smile on his face in training and has looked outstanding in those 13-on-13 games.
“He will be keen to force someone’s hand in the NRL, he would be a real addition for someone over there. We just want to see him apply what he has shown in training onto the field and it will be an exciting few months watching him.”
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