HULL FC captain Aiden Sezer says a pre-season clash at Castleford on Saturday should form valuable preparation for a Super League campaign in which he hopes to help fast-track his new club up the table.
The Black and Whites head to The Mend-A-Hose Jungle for former player Joe Westerman’s testimonial in the wake of a behind-closed doors work-out against Championship side York.
Australian halfback Sezer has joined from Wests Tigers, linking up once again with John Cartwright, the new man at the helm under whom he previously played at Gold Coast Titans.
Cartwright has been tasked with significantly improving results at Hull, who haven’t made the play-offs since 2020 and have finished eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh in successive seasons.
Both he and Sezer know the pressure to perform is on, but the latter, who has previous Super League experience with Huddersfield and Leeds, says that motivates him.
“John has been honest and transparent about the challenges we are facing, the need to improve, and the big expectations,” said the 33-year-old, who made the 2020 Dream Team as a Giant and has also played for Canberra Raiders.
“We both know the heights Hull have reached in the past, and the need to get back to where the club belongs, and I’m really happy to have been reunited with him and been given the huge honour of the captaincy.
“I think being a halfback will aid me, because it’s such an integral part of a team, and my experience should help. I’ll try to lead with my actions, at training and in games, then my words will hold some substance.”
Sezer is among a clutch of additions, with backs Ed Chamberlain and Zak Hardaker and forwards John Asiata and Oliver Holmes heading along the M62 from Leigh and halfback Cade Cust and hooker Amir Bourouh from Salford.
French prop Hugo Salabio has switched from Huddersfield while Hull have also brought in experienced Cook Islands and New Zealand back Jordan Rapana from Canberra.
“I think we have brought in competitors and winners, and can fast-track this club to where we need to be,” added Sezer.
“Pre-season training has been good. We have been forging connections and combinations and laying the bricks for a successful year. The Castleford game will take us a step closer to being ready.”