Radford: Hull wind-up ace Jake would boost England

HULL’S Jake Connor pushed his claims for a surprise England callup with another full-on performance.

The half-back is one of the most unpopular players in Super League because of his niggly reputation.

But he is a match-winner and coach Lee Radford believes he would shine for England in next month’s Test match against New Zealand in Denver.

He said: “He would be a fantastic utility player and he is talented enough to go. He would get under the Kiwis’ skins.”

Connor, who is currently only in the England Knights training squad, scored a try, set up two more and kicked five goals.

He also did his usual habit of winding up the opposition so much that tempers boiled over twice in the dying minutes. And Radford warned: “He needs to tone it down – he’s giving us a reputation for being grubs.”

Victory keeps Hull hot on the heels of the leading three clubs and condemned Rovers to bottom spot for the first time. Their coach Tim Sheens said: “There is not much between us and eighth and it is fairly close.

“While there is a ray of hope we live by it but getting troops back is more of a worry to me.”

Kieren Moss, recalled from a loan spell at York because of their lengthy injury problems, scored a hat-trick for Rovers.

Tommy Lee also went over, but they were always second best to a Hull side also hit by injuries.

Jamie Shaul scored twice in the first half with Scott Taylor and debutant Liam Harris adding further tries before the break. Then tries from Jack Logan and Connor sealed the win.

Radford added: “It was an ugly win but we’ll accept that with the blokes that we have missing.”

A total of 64,319 fans attended the two days of Magic Weekend in Newcastle, the fourth year it’s been at St James’ Park.

But RFL interim chief executive Ralph Rimmer has revealed the popular event may be taken to New York next year.