Last has tightened it up at Hull says Ma’u

HULL FC are going forward under interim-coach Andy Last, their Tongan forward Manu Ma’u says.

Ma’u joined Hull from Australian club Parramatta Eels last autumn and played only three times for his new club before coach Lee Radford was sacked, in March, following a devastating 38-4 home loss to Warrington Wolves.

Sunday’s Super League return, against Salford Red Devils at Headingley, will be Last’s first game since stepping up from his previous role as assistant-coach and Ma’u has, in the three weeks since Hull resumed training following coronavirus, seen positive signs.

“It was strange,” said the 31-year-old second-rower of being signed by Radford only for him to lose his job so early in the season.

“But we have got Lasty now and I think we can move in the right direction with him. All the boys support him 100 per cent.”

Ma’u added: “I think Lasty is in control now. A lot of things were loose around here, in regards of professionalism; I don’t think it was his [Radford’s fault], the players were just loose.

“I think having that break and Lasty stepping in, everyone has had to step up their game and be more accountable to each other. I think that’s the big thing he has brought to the players, more accountability.”

Ma’u has recovered from a knee injury which kept him out of Radford’s final game and insists he is keen to make up for lost time.

He said: “I think the break came at the right time for me, with my injuries and all the international footy I played at the back end of last season. I didn’t get much of a rest before I came over, but it has been a long time and I am keen to get back on the field and show what I am capable of.”