Radford praises new Super League structure

Hull FC coach Lee Radford believes that the new Super League structure has made the competition more intense, and closer to the levels of the NRL.

Hull beat Widnes 25-12 on Thursday evening, a win which has improved their prospects of claiming a spot the top eight.

“I was speaking to Gareth Ellis during the week, and he was saying it feels like the NRL,” Radford told BBC Radio Humberside.

“Where you’ve got to pick points up every week, and I think that’s probably a credit to the organisers of the competition.

“Whoever devised the system, it seems to be working.”

Radford is pleased that his squad is avoiding injuries, which is giving him the competition for places every coach craves.

“Fortunately because of the fitness of the players of the players at the moment, and the selection headaches I’ve got, the more competition is creating good performances,” he said.

“Long may that continue.”

The Airlie Birds coach was delighted that Tom Lineham had played so well at Widnes, after the winger had felt he had let the team down with his performance at Magic Weekend.

“I’m really pleased for him,” said Radford.

“I think points difference this season is going to be really important, so the effort that he showed on that last play to stop that last try was pleasing.

“A pleasing response for him, and likewise for Steve Michaels on the other side, who stepped down last week, and the performance he put in was really pleasing as well.”