Head backs Lovodua to deliver for Hull FC
Former Hull FC half-back Mathew Head has tipped new signing Joe Lovodua for success in Super League. The Black and Whites made Lovodua their second signing ahead of the 2022 Super League campaign last week as they tied down the hooker to a one-year deal.
The Fiji international did not make a first team appearance during his time in the NRL but picked up plenty of experience playing in the New South Wales Cup with South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George Illawarra Dragons.
It was during his time at the Dragons when he came across Head, who made 10 appearances during his season-long stint at the MKM Stadium in 2007 and now works as a development coach at the NRL club.
Head coached Lovodua in the Dragons youth and reserve ranks and he believes the 23-year-old has all the attributes to make the most of his Super League opportunity with FC.
“I’ve known Joey for a long time and always had a lot of time for him as a person and a footballer,” Head told the Mail. “I’m stoked he’s got an opportunity over there at Hull.
“I think if I was to say Joey’s best position it would be utility, at number 14, someone who can play bits and pieces of everywhere.
“If I was a coach and needed a hooker, he’s certainly someone who can play that position, he played a World Cup semi-final for Fiji at hooker, but he’s just got great utility value, that’s something that I really like about him.
“He likes carrying the footy, he carries the ball with two hands and he always asks the questions of the defence.
“He’s got a nice pass and played in the halves as a junior. When I came across him in 2016, he was young in the under-20s competition, he was just a player that you would use in different positions.
“He’s played in World Cup semi-finals so his defence is good enough. If he gets some confidence into him and he knows the team and the coach like him, he’ll play some really good footy.”
Head continues to have a good relationship with the Black and Whites and still pays close attention to his former club’s games and results.
As such, he’s more than aware of what Danny Houghton gives Brett Hodgson’s outfit and going into next season, he is convinced Lovodua can work to complement the experienced co-captain perfectly.
“When I played there in ’07, Danny was a young boy coming through the grade and got his opportunity there,” he said.
“He’s played a lot of years at number nine and he probably needs that younger type of player to come off the bench and give the team a bit of a boost.
“I watch a lot of Super League so I still know what Danny is offering that footy team and his tackling and service are always second to none.
“But when you bring a player like Joey in he can spark your team, jump out of dummy half and he’s a runner of the footy, Joey, he’ll always take the opposition’s defence on.”
He added: “Once he gets an opportunity and plays in a team that has some really good players around him, I think Joey can be a success.
“He’s going to need some time obviously, like everyone does, but I think once he gets rolling and gets some confidence and the players start believing in him, you’ll see a lot of good things from Joey.”