Brett Hodgson has hailed the quality of his squad and believes an ‘improved attention to detail and increased work ethic’ can see his side make a step up in 2021, while giving an insight into a tough, but enjoyable pre-season ahead.
Hodgson led his very first session earlier today, with pre-season training getting underway for the Black & White squad under their new head coach.
Speaking to hullfc.com, Hodgson said: “I really feel we have a great playing group here.
“With the quality we have and an increased work ethic with some more attention to detail with the stuff we’re going to focus on, we can really make that step up.
“If we get better at those little things, the results will take care of themselves. We need to work hard for each other every session.
“I’m really happy with the quality of staff we have here too, particularly with the high performance and physio guys. I’m excited to work with them going forward.”
Speaking specifically on what his players can expect from the next two months of pre-season, he continued: “It’s going to be tough at times – there is no doubt about that if we want to be successful, but there is also an element of needing to enjoy pre-season too.
“The best defensive teams, which we want to be, enjoyed their footy and want to work for each other. We’re going to set a higher level around of defensive levels, but we want them to enjoy what they’re doing.”
He added: “It is important that it is always team first – that’s important right from the start. We need to make sacrifices that allow others across the club to benefit, and I want to see us get closer as a group.
“Rugby League has always been about building relationships for me, and wanting to work for your mate next to you, and sacrifice so someone else has success as well.”
Hodgson also expressed his excitement to work with individuals within the Airlie Birds’ squad, particularly new recruit Josh Reynolds who is expected to arrive in the UK in the coming days.
“Josh is such a passionate person both on and off the field. You can see already how excited he is to be joining the club.”
“He is buzzing to be heading here and reigniting his love for the sport. Josh is a talent on the field; he hasn’t been given the opportunities he was deserved of in the NRL in recent years, but he will bring a lot to our team.
“I have a lot of faith in him and I know what he can bring to the team. He will compliment Marc Sneyd really well in the halves, and we’ll want to build the team around our spine, featuring him.
On the potential partnership, he added: “What Sneyd does for the team is bring a real calming influence. He knows how to direct the team around, build pressure and kick at the right time. Josh isn’t too different to that in that he knows when to kick the ball and will chase as hard as he can. They will compliment each other in that part of the game.
“But they’re quite different in the way that Marc is cool, calm and collected, while Josh will love playing off the back of that.
Like Reynolds, not all members of the squad are strangers to Hodgson, with both Jordan Johnstone and Mahe Fonua previously working with the Autralian in his past roles.
“JJ was a great kid at Widnes; the fact he has gone on to play in Super League is no surprise to me as he had a great attitude before when I used to coach him.
“Mahe is another one that I have worked with in the past, who brings a lot of passion to the group.”
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