This should be a good game with 2 unbeaten sides although Hull looked really poor against Wakefield and they have a few more players out.

Sounds like we will have the same squad as last week.

At the end of March Gildart was "2 weeks away"?! Bringing him back against Leigh makes a bit more sense though.

I can't agree with your assessment of us looking really poor against Wakefield. Sure it wasn't a great performance, but considering our efforts the week before I thought it was a really gutsy effort because Wakfield played well imo and we did look tired. But we found a way to win. Our attack was rusty, but our defence was very strong again.

Anyway it should be a really good game this one. Can't wait.

Fair point mate, and valid that a 4/5 day turnaround after golden point is not ideal preparation time.

Poor is probably the wrong word but it's the first time I've seen you guys play this year and was a bit disappointed. Defensively very strong though and Wakefield only scored off a kick, charge-down and interception.

Our games against you weren't very competitive last year but I see it being as close as the 2019 games both decided by 1pt.

Looks like FC will be without Farimo. Think that puts Mahe Fonua on the wing. Very big test for us with the size of FC’s team. Hopefully Harry Smith has a blinder as I feel he’ll be the target

This should be a really good test of where we are.
Fonua will come in for Faraimo who has been solid if unspectacular this season.
Bowden looks likely to miss out with an elbow injury so Jack Brown will come in. He has real promise.
Otherwise I suspect it'll be the same again.

Hopefully we'll find a bit more energy than against Wakefield and our attack can click a bit more.
If I'm honest I think you'll be too strong for us but I certainly think it'll be a good contest.

Good test for both sides and an interesting one with it being the cup game the following week. I wonder if Lam will try and do things a bit differently this week compared to the cup game, so we don’t show too much too soon.

So far it seems to be a pretty simple gameplan of going blow for blow with our opponents for an hour then giving the ball some air when they start to fatigue. I think teams must know it is coming by now, but stopping it is another matter.

I'm not sure Hull can compete for the top 2 - they've done pretty well in the opening games but consistency has been difficult for them over the years. Recent history shows Reynolds may find it hard to put a run of games together so that might be problematic - I think he played something like 20 games in 3 years for Wests. As a team though Hull seem to be defending a lot better than previously.

I'm fairly confident we'll win on Thursday but the Cup game will be a tough one, particularly if Reynolds is back.

No Manfredi or Gildart this week, would imagine they're unlikely to be thrown into the cup game without match practice.

If we can beat Hull twice then get Manfredi and Gildart back (Marshall soon after too) for the Leigh game it will be an incredible start to the year.


Can’t back this up with any facts but games where you play a decent opponent twice in two weeks tend finish one win each.

True.

If we had to choose we would obviously target the cup game and lose the SL game if (hypothetically) it was a choice.

Getting to Wembley this year and having a big crowd in July would be amazing.

Should be a good test.

I'm confident after the respective performance this weekend, the Cas game seemed more comfortable than if was on the score board. We didn't even struggle for yards.

Hope we can be more dangerous with the ball and expect it should come the more players we get back and the more they play together.

That's definitely where I think we can gain with French at FB. Hardaker is great at returning the ball but I think French might be more threatening in the more structured attack.

Unfortunately I cant see anything but a Wigan, although think it will tight, we have been very strong defensively but without Reynolds our attack looks a bit laboured. Think Hastings and your quick wingers could prove the difference.

Who is likely to be back next week for you guys?

I think we’ll be very similar to this week but I expect Tommy Leuluai to come in.

Quote ="NickyKiss"Who is likely to be back next week for you guys? I think we’ll be very similar to this week but I expect Tommy Leuluai to come in.'" Here your are lad https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/04/27/ ... igan-trip/

Quote ="NickyKiss"Who is likely to be back next week for you guys? I think we’ll be very similar to this week but I expect Tommy Leuluai to come in.'" Here your are lad https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/04/27/ ... igan-trip/

Quote ="Riderofthepalehorse"Here your are lad https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/04/27/ ... igan-trip/'" How’s fanoa faring these days I think I watched him the other week and looked liked he’d lost half a yard of pace. Still looks a good side to pick from. I’m expecting a close game

Quote ="Riderofthepalehorse"Here your are lad https://www.hullfc.com/blog/2021/04/27/ ... igan-trip/'" How’s fanoa faring these days I think I watched him the other week and looked liked he’d lost half a yard of pace. Still looks a good side to pick from. I’m expecting a close game

Overall disappointing, looks a yard too slow, think he would be better at centre, but could still cause you problems with his power and ability under the high ball.

Our strengths are Connor, our and 2nd rowers.

Props are decent too.

We have a young lad at 6 Ben McNamara, who has done ok, love the fact he is getting a continued run, despite not playing great, that is what Wigan would do, previously we would drop him and move 3 players around

Cam Scott likely to get a run?

He lost his place to Bureta, but I would imagine he will play Thursday, I think most Hull fans are waiting and hoping he can regain his best form. He did get injured in Australia, and this may have hindered his progress regarding full fitness.

Doubt it, not with the experience of our backs.

Must be next in line though

I'm hearing Griffin won't play, in which case there's every chance that Scott will start at centre. The other option would be putting Fonua at centre and giving our new Fijian winger a debut.

Big blow if Griffin doesn’t play. He’s a solid centre

He's been very good for a while for us now. Always makes big metres and is a real handful. I'm biased of course but in him and Tuimavave we have two of the best centres in SL.

Can’t disagree with that.

I rate Tuimavave highly think he’s a great player.

Griffin makes big meters prone to the odd daft error but can be very dangerous close to the line.

Tomorrow will be a big indication of where both teams are this year.

I'm not sure with that statement. With both sides missing players, I think it's more about who can maintain some momentum. I think we will be better long term than what we will be tonight

Clubb starts at prop again. Insane.