Williams battle with Gale is key for Tigers’ Sheridan
IF HIS family, tuning in nearly 12,000 miles away in Wellington, manage to grab a second beer when watching him tonight, then that represents real progress for Hull FC winger Bureta Faraimo.
Since joining the East Yorkshire club this term, the Kiwi has, for one reason or another, often struggled to complete a game.
Of his nine appearances so far, Faraimo has failed to reach the end in three of them.
He was concussed after just two minutes of Hull’s televised game against Wigan Warriors back in Australia and then sent off in the ninth minute of the Good Friday derby at Hull KR following a dangerous tackle.
In between, the 27-year-old was concussed again having been on the end of a swinging arm from Warrington Wolves’ Dec Patton in the 48th minute of a third broadcast fixture.
There has been a running joke from Hull coach Lee Radford that Faraimo has to stay on the field whatever the issue as, each time he has departed, his right edge has disintegrated for a spell.
“I get messages from my family back at home,” he said, ahead of tonight’s televised clash with Leeds Rhinos.
“They watch my game on TV and they haven’t even finished their beer yet and I’ve got sent off!
“It has been frustrating. That’s all it is.
“I was frustrated sitting out all those games… concussions, the red card, (suspension)…
“It’s halfway through the season now and I still feel like I haven’t shown what I really can do especially from a fan’s point of or that it was a high or a shoulder charge. I was confused. I still am confused about that. But at the same time I’ve done my time and I don’t really care about that now.”
Hull, who sit sixth just behind champions Leeds, know they have to start delivering consistently themselves after a inconsistent start.
That said, they were unlucky to lose at Headingley last month and, with their first-choice backrow of Mark Minichiello, Sika Manu and Dean Hadley returning after missing the Widnes win due to injury, they will be well set to challenge this evening.
Rhinos, meanwhile, were pipped 9-8 by Wigan last week and Faraimo admitted: “I am looking forward to it. It will be good to get a game against Leeds.
“We just lost out last time but we had a few injuries then and have a few boys back now so that will be good.
“I’m a big fan of Ryan Hall’s and it will be good to test myself against him. I’ve seen him play for England and was pretty gutted I didn’t face him the last time.”
Faraimo, who made only sporadic appearances for Parramatta Eels between 2014 and 2016 and didn’t play in the NRL for the Warriors, is desperate to make his mark in Super League.
He is enjoying life in Hull and would certainly like to extend his two-year deal. The New Zealander said; “I love it here and the way I feel now yes I do. Depending if I show that on the field and Hull FC are happy to let me stay then yes.
“My family loves it here and that makes my job easier.
“For me, it’s laid-back yet busy at the same time. I have a few kids (four)that keep me on my toes.
“I’ve just put two of them into rugby so they play for Cottingham. When I’m finished here I go back home and straight to that.
“I’ve been doing a little bit of travelling but not far. I went to see that... Bridlington? It’s pretty cool, man. We just jump in the car on our days off and have a little cruise.”
Leeds forward Jamie JonesBuchanan, 36, is set to make his 400th appearance for Rhinos tonight. CASTLEFORD TIGERS assistant coach Ryan Sheridan is relishing Man of Steel Luke Gale’s battle with England colleague George Williams tomorrow night.
The in-form West Yorkshire club head to Wigan Warriors knowing another win will see them move level with their second-placed rivals with a game still in hand.
Castleford vanquished Catalans Dragons 41-0 on Sunday and, unsurprisingly, name the same 19-man squad.
Wigan won 9-8 at champions Leeds Rhinos to continue their fine form and Sheridan expects a fierce contest.
As a former Great Britain scrum-half, he is looking forward to current England No 7 Gale pitting his wits against World Cup colleague Williams.
“I do love looking at the matchups and battles, especially the half-backs,” said Sheridan.
“Things like who comes out on top, who’s controlling the game, who’s dominating it and who makes it ebb and flow.
“Galey was outstanding for us last week and on the other side we have Benny Roberts playing well while Jake Trueman’s an outstanding talent at the back.
“Our little triangle there is going well. We just need to be patient and earn the right to do things with the ball.
“We need to defend well off the back of that especially at Wigan.”
The short kicking game of 23-year-old Williams is something Castleford will need to counter as they seek a third successive win at DW Stadium.
“He’s one of the best in the comp’, he’ll kick early and it can be really challenging,” added exLeeds scrum-half Sheridan.
“He’s a got a great running game. He’s an international halfback isn’t he?
“You don’t get into an international team for nothing. We know we’ll have our work cut out in and around him. His kicking game is fantastic.
“But your attitude has to be right going to Wigan. They challenge you mentally and physically so we’re expecting a tough battle but we want to build on what we did last week.”
Meanwhile, Huddersfield Giants academy prop Jon Luke Kirby, 19, has signed a two-yearprofessional deal with the club.
Wakefield Trinity make just one change for tomorrow’s trip to Salford, Pauli Pauli coming into their 19 for Chris Annakin.