Joe Lovodua has knuckled down to ensure his fitness levels match those of his team mates, despite arriving in the country just over a fortnight ago.
The Fijian international was the last of Brett Hodgson’s new recruits to arrive at the club, following Darnell McIntosh, Luke Gale and Kane Evans.
Since arriving from South Sydney Rabbitohs, the 23-year-old has been tasked with a gruelling pre-season schedule, which he believes has helped him attain a strong fitness level.
“The staff have been putting me through my paces on the field and in the gym,” Lovodua told hullfc.com.
“The majority of the boys are in week seven or eight of their pre-seasons, so there’s been a bit of catching up for me to do.
“I haven’t played rugby since the middle of the year. That’s when the competition got cancelled back home in Australia and we went into a strict lockdown, so it’s been tough for me.
“The first few days, considering I was jet-lagged, were really harsh on the body. But I feel like I’m past the worst of it now and I’m getting close to being at peak levels again, which is a credit to the staff for pushing me to get there.”
Joining a new squad in a foreign country can always be a daunting prospect, especially for someone in their early 20s.
But Lovodua has embraced the opportunity, and insists that he has been given the warmest of welcomes by his new peers.
“I knew Kane [Evans] prior to coming to the club through our connection with the Fiji international team,” Lovodua said.
“Although I’ve not seen him since I arrived here, I know Josh Reynolds too – everyone knows Grub in Australia!
“But it hasn’t taken me long to settle in here. Coming into the squad, there are no big egos in the room. Everyone has been really accommodating and welcoming towards me, which has made me feel really at home.”
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