Knockout rugby brings the best out of Hull – Ellis

Hull skipper Gareth Ellis believes knockout rugby has brought the best out of them this season, as they prepare to face Huddersfield on Thursday.

A win in the do-or-die play-off clash would put them within 80 minutes of a Super League Grand Final appearance, and the chance to make up for their Challenge Cup final defeat to Wigan last month.

Following last Friday’s 14-4 defeat of Catalan, Hull travel to Huddersfield, who were beaten by Wigan in the first round of the play-offs.

Ellis told the club’s official website: “We’ve taken points from everybody above us on the table this year barring Huddersfield and we pushed them close both times, so that shows the potential is there and hopefully we’ll have another good crack at them on Thursday.

“The reality is sixth was probably where we deserved to finish on the table after some of our ups and downs this season, but we’re confident now having proven that we can beat the top teams, that we can do something in these play-offs.

“It’s do-or-die now and while we won’t be the first team to win from outside the top four, we could be the first to win from sixth. It’s a huge challenge for us but that type of rugby has probably brought the best out of us this season, so hopefully it can again.”