Mahe Fonua has reflected on the Black & Whites’ pre-season campaign so far as the squad reach the half-way mark of their preparations for the new season.
This weekend marks six weeks to go until the start of the new Betfred Super League campaign, with it being confirmed yesterday that Hull will open their account for the year against Huddersfield at Emerald Headingley on March 28th.
While the Tongan international explained excitement is already building for the new season, there is a lot of hard-work to go before the opening match next month.
Speaking to hullfc.com on pre-season so far, Fonua said: “Despite it being tough, this has probably been one of the pre-seasons I have enjoyed the most. Because it was a shorter break from the end of last season, all of the boys have come back fitter and raring to go.
“It means we’ve been able to get into the actually rugby side of things quicker rather than having to get our fitness up for long periods of time.
He added: “There is definitely a fresher feel around the place, and that comes from having a new head coach in place.
“He’s come in and made his mark in terms of being clear in what he wants us to achieve and trying to make us all more responsible for our own actions in particular, but he isn’t trying to change too much so that it is a completely new environment for us to get used to.”
And Fonua explained that there is a higher sense of ‘togetherness’ within the group – something that head coach Hodgson is keen to build on.
“There seems to be a lot more togetherness within the group, and that is something he was really keen to see, building a strong culture on positive actions.
“That means if someone messes up in training, it isn’t just a case of knocking them back, but picking them up and showing them where they went wrong to help them improve as players.
On the Black & Whites’ new head coach, who spent time with Fonua at Wests Tigers, he continued: “I was quite happy actually when I heard he was coming over.
“Obviously as an assistant at Wests during my time there, I spent quite a bit of time with him and already had a good relationship with him. He was my reserve grade coach too, so for him to come here and get his first full head coach role, I was really please for both him and the club.”
Hodgson isn’t the only new addition to the coaching staff, with Fonua explaining the addition of back-to-back Challenge Cup winning captain was a ‘no brainer’.
“It was a no-brainer really. A lot of the boys in the squad played under Gaz as their captain, so it made sense to put him into that position given how much respect the entire squad has for him.
“He’s done so much in the game, not to mention that he was the captain for a lot who were involved in those Challenge Cup winning sides.
“His knowledge of the game is as strong as anyone’s and he’s already starting to make his mark on the squad as an assistant coach, providing advice particularly from his own personal experiences in the game.”
The former Wests Tigers contingent doesn’t stop at Fonua, Hodgon and Ellis though, with Josh Reynolds joining up with his old coach in Hodgson and teammate in Fonua.
“I’ve helped him settle in a little bit, but he’s managed it himself really well. I’ve made sure that I’ve been at the end of the phone for him just in case he needs any advice on anything to do with Hull, as coming to the other side of the world isn’t easy, but he’s already found his feet here.
“He’s already proving to be a great character in the group. He’s very personable and likeable, and always willing to share bits of advice and help from his experience over the last 9 years in the NRL. I’m just jealous that he has got to see some snow in his first month and I’ve had to wait over three years!”
Looking ahead to the start of the new season, he continued: “The excitement has already begun, to be honest. Seeing that first fixture means you’ve got something to aim for and there is a bit of light at the end of the pre-season tunnel!
“There is a lot of hard work to go before that match though; we’ll have a couple of friendlies to play which will act as a good marker to see where we are at as a squad.
“The aim is to be in that starting thirteen when that first game comes around. There is some really strong and healthy competition for places in the backs with the likes of Bureta, Swifty and Carlos, but having that depth is good for the squad and keeps everyone on top of their game.”
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