Hull have belief, says Gentle

Hull coach Peter Gentle says they believe they can cause an upset and knock Warrington out of the Super League play-offs on Saturday.

The Airlie Birds have focused hard on their defence after shipping 40 points to basement boys Widnes last month, and have conceded just five tries in their past three games, including last weekend’s comfortable 46-10 play-off win over Huddersfield.

He told the club’s official website: “We’re relaxed, we’re confident and there is a calmness about the squad. We know what we have to do if we want to still be here next week and there is a real confidence about the place.

“We’ve only conceded five tries in the last three weeks and we are getting that steeliness back in our defence. There is a good attitude there and that’s what you’d expect at this time of year.

“The boys are excited and there’s a real genuine belief that we can do something special in the play-offs. Getting a win away to Warrington would be special and it’s a game we are all looking forward to. We’d play tomorrow if we could.

“There are a lot of areas that we are doing well and we will head to Warrington confident and in a positive frame of mind.”

Hull have gone where Warrington never have before – they reached the Super League Grand Final in 2006, albeit having finished in second place in the table.

This is the Airlie Birds’ ninth appearance in the play-offs, and the fifth time they’ve made it beyond the first game.