Brett Hodgson has backed Jake Connor to shine at fullback after confirming his plan to utilise him in that position in 2021.
The new Hull FC coach had previously hinted that Connor would be used at fullback, allowing Josh Reynolds to partner Marc Sneyd in the halves.
Jamie Shaul will miss the bulk of the 2021 season as he recovers from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, leaving the Black and Whites in need of someone to take the reins at the back.
Connor will be the man to do that, with Hodgson, a former Man Of Steel and fullback himself, excited by the prospect.
“He’s got a very high skill set,” Hodgson said.
“There are some players in the game that are able to execute a play when others can’t and you’ve seen countless times that Jake has that in his repertoire.
“What Jake needs to do is continue to improve his fitness and there are a couple of minor things around being a fullback that if he learns will make him even more dangerous.”
Hodgson hopes his own expertise in that position will aid Connor’s development ahead of the Super League season.
“There was a game last year, I could be wrong but I think it was Hull KR. He had three or four try-assists but maybe only touched the ball twelve to fifteen times in the game. If he’s doubling that he’s more dangerous and, as a team, we’re more dangerous.
“We’re looking forward to his progression and working hard with him and the other squad members to make sure that we’ve got the quality that if one person is not there, we’ve got someone else who can step in.”
Meanwhile, Hodgson confirmed the club had yet to make a decision on who would be the club’s captain this season.
“That’s a decision that we’re still having conversations about,” he said.
“At the right time, we’ll establish who that’s going to be.
“It’s not something we’ve broached at this stage. I know Danny Houghton and Scott Taylor are good leaders of what we’re trying to instil. It’s one of those conversations we’ll have when we get closer to game time.”
Hodgson also confirmed squad numbers had been decided and would likely be revealed this week.
The above content is also available in the regular weekly edition of League Express, on newsstands every Monday in the UK and as a digital download. Click here for more details.
