Who’ll benefit from reserves?
william.jackson@reachplc.com @Williamj93
THE RFL have confirmed that their reserves competition will return for next season and Hull FC are one of a host of clubs excited to be able to field a second string side once more.
FC have felt strongly about importance of reserves for some time and they ran a team before it was made a mandatory requirement by the governing body.
As such, the Black and Whites will be taking the competition seriously and they’ll hope to reap the benefits of regular match action for the fringe members of their squad.
With that in mind, the Mail look at five players who could make a real impression in the reserve competition next year.
HARVEY BARRON
The winger would probably have made his first-team debut this year if not for the serious injury he picked up in the first half of the season.
He’s back training now, and he’ll hope to catch the eye of Brett Hodgson in his second campaign in the first-team environment.
That means impressing over pre-season and in the reserves, where he is expected to feature regularly, in the hope of proving he is more than capable of playing in Super League when required.
The 18-year-old is highly thought of at the club’s training ground and eyes will be on him as he looks to make the step up.
BEN MCNAMARA
The young half-back was a regular in the first-team fold last season, filling in when either Marc Sneyd or Josh Reynolds were missing through injury.
However, when he wasn’t in Hodgson’s squad, he could be seen playing for the academy side after underlining his desire for game time. It could be the same story next season with Mcnamara potentially set to represent the reserves when he isn’t involved at the top level.
Rather than playing against kids, though, he’ll be able to test himself and develop his game against men, which can only be beneficial.
JACOB HOOKEM
Hookem certainly made an impression when he came off the bench for his bow in the loss to Wakefield on the last day of the season and he’ll aim to build on that performance in 2022.
He’ll be a mainstay in Michael Shenton’s team, no doubt, and Hodgson will be keeping tabs on his progression after admitting he should have given him his debut earlier.
In Hookem and Mcnamara, FC have two promising half-backs they’re keen to develop and the reserves could be the perfect
platform for them.
JUDE FERREIRA
Ferreira is no stranger to reserve grade rugby, having played in the second string in 2019 and at the start of the 2020 season.
Injuries ensured others made their debut ahead of him last season, but he’ll be determined to work his way into Hodgson’s thoughts over the coming months.
Competition for places is strong in the outside backs, with Cam Scott and Connor Wynne ahead of him in the pecking order, but regular game time in the reserves will give Ferreira the chance to show what he can do.
MITIELI VULIKIJAPANI
Vulikijapani was rewarded for his fine first year in rugby league with a new one-year deal at the MKM Stadium.
He’s expected to be the next cab off the rank if injuries occur on the wing and should he be forced to wait for his chance next season he would undoubtedly benefit from picking up regular game time in the reserves.