Head Coach Tony Smith has looked ahead to his first match in charge of the Black & Whites, who travel to take on Sheffield Eagles this afternoon.
It’s Hull’s first pre-season action of 2023, with several players in line to make their first appearance for the club in the clash at the Olympic Legacy Park Stadium.
“Its exciting, we are looking forward too it, we know that we will make some mistakes and there will be some adversity, we want to test our selves against that and build that resilience,” Smith said.
“There isn’t a game where there isn’t adversity in Rugby League, it is knowing how you are going to handle these things and how each other will handle this. That will be the interesting part for me.
On what he’s looking for from his side on Sunday afternoon, he added: “We want to get combinations, for some boys they need a little bit of fitness, game fitness, its different to running up and down the park, it is very difficult to simulate a game situation, but most of all its about building a team who work and respect one another and handle adversity when it comes”
“Teams make mistakes, players make mistakes, seeing how individuals and the team handles these mistakes gives a good indication on how the team will go.”
“We need to work hard on that and have the confidence to handle that and come back strong and not faulter or worry about the last one, and we are working on that in order to become a good team.”
Hull will face the Eagles for the first time since last season’s Challenge Cup fixture, with Smith expected a tough test for his side.
“They are a good championship team, always have been. They are strong, solid and well coached.
“They always put out a good, hardworking team, with skill and work ethic. It will be a good tough game for us.
“We are trying new combinations, people who have never played together before, that in itself is a test.
“Not only playing an opposition we are not used to but playing with people we are not used too, we have got to get that going and Sunday is the first time the boys get together and build those combinations.”
STORY SPONSOR
