Hodgson praise for Origin stars
HULL FC head coach Brett Hodgson was full of praise for the club’s eight Yorkshire Origin stars.
The Black and Whites’ double quartet have been selected in the White Rose squad to face Lancashire on Saturday.
Such numbers suggest good progress for Hull, who have heavily invested in their youth departments over the last year or so.
It’s a direction Hodgson has fully bought in to as well, who was understandably delighted with their inclusion.
“I’m really proud of those boys who have been working hard and given themselves the opportunity to play in that game,” Hodgson told the Mail.
“Players play to win titles but selfishly they want to play Representative as well and the fact that we’ve got eight in the game representing Yorkshire is absolutely brilliant.
“The players are working hard, they’re learning, and they’re asking questions. They’ve got some adversity to deal with at certain times as well, but it’s really pleasing for us to have that many.
“It does say that we’re heading in the right direction too that we’ve got that many players playing well enough for Paul Anderson to choose them at their level.
“You don’t make those teams unless you’ve got something about you. It’s hugely pleasing and it shows the plans we have put in place are starting to bear some fruit, but we have to make sure that vision continues and better steps are implemented along the way.”
The eight Hull FC players selected are Charlie Severs, Nick Staveley, Kye Armstrong, Manoa Wacokecoke, Sullivan Medforth, Denive Balmforth, Matty Laidlaw, and Lewis Martin.
One of those names starred again for the academy in a 30-10 victory over the weekend.
Lured away from Warrington earlier this year, Balmforth is a teenage hooker many fans are starting to get excited about, but as ever with any young player, the words again are patience and perseverance.
“Denive is a good kid and he’s very good with the ball in hand,” Hodgson continued.
“There are areas of his game that need improving and we are constantly having conversations with him.
“We’re excited for his future but the difficult thing is not to rush these players as well though. I know that even I want to see him get to that first-team level soon, but if you do it too soon you can break a kid.
“It really exposes them and that’s not what we’re willing to do at the moment.
“We’ll keep putting the work into him and there’s some elements that he needs to keep on improving as well.”