The Hull FC head coach spoke to the media on Wednesday.
Hull FC star Zak Hardaker.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright spoke to the media on Wednesday afternoon, with the Australian in a buoyant mood ahead of Saturday’s clash with Leigh Leopards.
Cartwright provided a full injury update, which you can read here, and the latest on Tom Briscoe’s future, which you can read here. Elsewhere, Jack Rampton was on the agenda, with the on-trial winger playing at Hunslet once again.
There were also questions asked on Zak Hardaker’s role, Jed Cartwright’s progression, Lewis Martin and more ahead of the game with the Leythers. Here’s what Cartwright had to say:
No review after Salford
Hull FC didn’t review Sunday’s 80-6 massacre of Salford Red Devils – but that’s not to say John Cartwright wasn’t happy with Hull’s performance.
“We didn’t review the Salford game,” the head coach admitted. “At the end of the day, it was a totally different game from the ones we’ve got coming up. I enjoyed the victory and then we got straight into getting ready for Leigh.”
He added: “It’s hard to say the word ‘ruthless’, but I thought we were ruthless. The last ten minutes were a little bit skewed but there were a lot of reasons for that. We took players off, and we left players out there under fatigue – I wasn’t too concerned.”
Zak Hardaker’s role
If all goes to plan, Zak Hardaker could find himself in the centre position against Leigh Leopards. The veteran, who has arguably been Hull’s player of the year this season, started the Salford game at half-back before moving to full-back, but with Will Pryce back and Aidan Sezer hoping to feature, the three-quarter line could beckon.
On Hardaker’s form and role, Cartwright said: “Zak did a good job in the halves. He looks the most comfortable when you get the ball in his hands so he played at six for us against Salford. It wasn’t too dissimilar to the type of game he’s been playing with the ball when at full-back. He’s just got to make a few more tackles.”
Jed Cartwright’s progress
Hull’s towering back rower Jed Cartwright is now five games into his comeback and is looking good value in a Hull shirt. He scored twice against Salford, adding to another brace against Wigan last month.
And with Jordan Lane in contention to return, Hull could have both of their starting back rowers on the field against Leigh for the first time since March.
“He’s had five games back now and his fitness is good,” Cartwright said. “He’s just been unfortunate with the injuries he’s picked up, but if we can keep him out on the paddock, he’s a weapon.”
Asked if it’s been hard during his time out to differentiate between his coach and dad, Cartwright added: “I’m not his dad here – I treat them all the same. If he’s done something wrong, I’m not a yeller and a screamer; you try and tip them in the direction you want them to go, so that doesn’t change with Jed or whoever it may be.”
Lewis Martin’s rise
The young Hull FC winger now has 20 tries in Super League this term and 27 for the season. More importantly, the 20-year-old, who has played every minute of every game this year, continues to work hard in the backfield and come up with the tough plays, with Cartwright sharing the areas that he is impressed with most.
“They get better the more they play at this level,” Cartwright said. “It’s been great that he’s been great to get through it all – he’s played every game for us – and as the team grows, wingers score more tries – that goes hand in hand.
“But defensively, he’s working on his game all of the time, just the little skills that wingers need to be good at, catching high balls, coming out of tough situations, and all those sorts of little things; they are the work that no one else sees. He’s improved in all areas.”
Asked how far Martin can go, Cartwright said: “He’s at a level now where he’s competing well with his opposite number and all wingers in Super League. He’s got all the attributes, has Lewis, but like anyone, he needs to remain consistent in the tough areas of the game. He’s been there for 12 months now, and over a long period of time, we’ll see where he ends up.”
But amongst the praise, there’s no doubt it’s a team game.
“You can’t do anything without the guy inside you and that’s the approach we take,” Carywright added. “You’ve got to work hard for each other; nothing comes easy and nothing gets given to you on a platter. It’s the 17 guys; they’ve got to work hard for each other and then someone gets the spoils.”
Jack Rampton gets more game time
Hull FC sought a loan move for Jack Rampton last month, with the on-trial winger playing at Hunslet. The 24-year-old featured on loan again over the weekend, with the Championship side hammered by leaders York Knights 56-0. Meanwhile, Rampton got the club Man of the Match award, following on from a try-scoring debut against Doncaster.
Asked by Hull Live how Rampton fared, Cartwright said: “He just needs to play a lot of football. The subtleties of the game, and we went in with our eyes open, knowing that was going to be the case. They are struggling for form; they are down a lot of players and they have lost their coach, so it’s a tough time to be playing there but he’s putting his hand up.”
Hunslet parted ways with coach Dean Muir earlier this year with Kyle Trout. On the ‘character building’ scenario facing Hull loanees, with Will Kirby, Ryan Westerman, Joe Ward, and Will Hutchinson all playing at the Leeds-based club, Cartwright said: “It can be. It’s how you approach it. The boys who are going there are approaching it the right way. They’re getting themselves involved.”