THE 250th Hull derby awaits on Good Friday – and while FC still have the better head-to-head record over time, KR have had most to cheer of late.
The black and white side of the city has triumphed on 124 occasions, to Hull KR’s 115, and there have been ten draws.
But the Robins have won the past six derbies, stretching back to July 2023 when FC won 16-6 at Craven Park, and nine of the last eleven.
That’s a record loose-forward John Asiata is determined to change after appearing in two of the three derby defeats in his first season at Hull FC in 2025.
“It’s one of the games you pencil in straight away,” said Asiata.
“Last year I got to experience how big it was. Last year they got three on us.”
Victory, he said, “would mean a lot, but probably more to the fans than anybody else. I’m sure it’s been a while.
“We want to do this jersey proud and the only way to do that is by winning and giving our best.”
Hull FC have collected some form with successive wins against Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons, while Hull KR warmed up by thrashing St Helens last Friday.
Of the turnaround, Asiata said: “It’s more the confidence. When you’re losing you’re trying to find out what you’re doing wrong.
“I think we’ve really simplified our game plan and simplified the way we want to play, doing the little things right, understanding the new rules.
“Over the last few weeks we’ve nailed that and I don’t think this week will be any different.
“It’s going to be faster, it’s going to be physical, but when the time comes to have our shot, we’ve got to make sure we nail them.”
Asiata will be going head-to-head in the middle with a good friend in Robins prop Tom Amone.
“It will be exciting to go up against him,” he said of his former Leigh Leopards team-mate.
“Whatever happens on the field happens on the field. Tommy knows that. We still talk, and we’ve been waiting for this game so we’ll see what happens.
“I speak to him a fair bit about their game and about his game. I told him they’ve had a lot of interruptions throughout the year with the World Club Challenge and Vegas and Catalans, a lot of moving.
“I said they’ll find their feet once they settle down. They were back at home for the first time last week and put in a really good performance against a strong team in Saints.
“So it’s going to be an interesting one this week but it’s a game I’m looking forward to.”