Is Connor good enough to make move to NRL?
AS first reported by the Mail, Jake Connor is attracting interest from NRL clubs, with Canberra Raiders in particular keeping tabs on the Hull FC star.
In arguably career-best form, Connor has not only been the Black and Whites’ best player this season, but also he is right up there in Super League too.
Here the Mail look at some talking points.
Would Connor even want an NRL move?
Before we all get carried away, nobody has had the opportunity yet to ask Connor if he even wants to play in Australia.
Playing Down Under isn’t for everyone, and the player himself has made it known before that he is something of a home bird.
He also has a young family, and it’s always a big ask to uproot your family and lose the support network you have at home.
There’s also the fact that Connor is loving his time at Hull, and he has made no secret of that.
The fullback is very comfortable at his current club, and it would take a very attractive offer to turn his mind.
Is Connor good enough?
Yes - in short. Connor, despite being viewed as a pantomime villain type by opposition fans, is one of the best players in Super League. You can’t deny him that.
Just look at the stats. An incredible 22 try assists in just 12 games.
That’s nearly two every time he steps out on the field. No other player can boast something similar.
A box of tricks from the fullback position, Connor is a lethal attacking weapon with an eye for a pass, short or long.
His awareness is also second to none. He makes the game look effortless at times, he makes so much time and space for himself, something which sets apart the average to the elite, whilst his kicking game is also on point.
Connor does have room for improvement in the defensive side of his game, but he is adaptable too.
He is also at home in the centre position or as the dominant half back, two positions he has starred in for both Hull and England in the past.
Has Connor played at an “Nrl-like” level before?
Yes - just ask Joey Manu. Under Wayne Bennett in 2018, Connor starred for England, although it must be said he was recommended to the Australian coach by members of the playing squad.
Debuting against New Zealand in Denver, Connor starred in the halves and put two tries on a plate for Ryan Hall and Elliot Whitehead.
Back on home soil, Connor then starred in a Test series against the same opposition at centre, supplying Tommy Makinson and being a contributing factor to the winger receiving the Golden Boot award.
In that series against the Kiwis, Connor was untouchable, whilst Manu, one of the best centres in the NRL, was as quiet as a mouse.
Turns out Connor can turn up in the big games after all.
How could Hull FC replace Connor?
Should a move happen for Connor, the most obvious thing for Hull would be to put Jamie Shaul back at fullback, but whether that remains in the best interests of the side going forward is another thing.
Shaul has been a fantastic servant to the club, but his ball-playing abilities have always come under criticism.
Hull are used to a fullback now who nails that pass, one who puts tries on a plate for his outside backs.
Shaul does have areas to his game where he is stronger than Connor and there is no doubting his bravery, his support play, or his willingness to return the ball, but as a modern-day attacking outlet, there could be a concern.
Already on the books for 2023 is Connor Wynne who is no stranger to the fullback position either, although he has made a home in the centres this year.
The club also have a highly thought of teenager in Davy Litten progressing through the ranks, although the last thing they want to do is throw him in the deep end too soon.
As far as a new signing would go, Bevan French is one name linked with Hull this year, and should things develop with Connor, it’ll be interesting to see what direction the club take.