SL Preview: Hull FC v Wakefield (Mon)
Hull FC are out to ‘right some wrongs’ against Wakefield on Monday, according to Ben Galea.
The Airlie Birds had been almost unbeatable for more than two months, charging up the table and into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, yet consecutive losses at Catalan and Castleford have since left them doing plenty of self-assessment.
They have dropped to seventh and, worryingly for their fans, also seen city rivals Hull KR move above them.
“Our form hasn’t been fantastic for five or six weeks now,” explained second-rower Galea.
“We have had a good game here and there, but overall I think we are not really happy with the way we are playing.
“So we have had a good look at ourselves this week.
“We’ve got our heads down and worked really hard and hopefully we can right some wrongs on Monday.
“Maybe we have just dropped off a little bit and I think it is more of an attitude thing.
“We need to regroup and refocus on the last eight competition rounds now.”
Hull will be improved by the return of three England internationals – captain Gareth Ellis, Danny Tickle and Tom Briscoe, with Jay Pitts, Jason Crookes and Chris Green all paying the price for average performances at Castleford.
Centre Kirk Yeaman could also return after being dropped for the first time in his Hull FC career last week.
Meanwhile, Wakefield are currently enjoying a good run of form after consecutive big wins against Salford and London.
Wildcats winger Ben Cockayne says his side are in an extremely positive frame of mind for the trip to the KC Stadium.
“We all know that when Wakefield plays well as a team we can match anybody, especially offensively,” claimed the 29-year-old.
“Hull will be a little bit wary of us and so they should be, but we’re under no illusions how much of a tough task it is going to be.”
Hooker Paul Aiton is available for 10th-placed Trinity tonight after suspension and centre Reece Lyne is ready to face his former club if Australian Dean Collis does not pass a late fitness test for the Belle Vue club.
Hull FC 19-man squad: Arundel, Briscoe, Ellis, Crooks, Galea, Heremaia, Holdsworth, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, McDonnell, Miller, O’Meley, Tickle, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Wakefield 19-man squad: Mathers, Fox, Collis, L. Smith, Cockayne, Sykes, T. Smith, Poore, Aiton, Raleigh, Lauitiiti, Kirmond, Washbrook, Wood, Amor, Wilkes, Mariano, Lyne, Wildie.
Prediction: The return of some of their most influential players should see a win for Hull.
Stats:
Hull FC have won in four of the last five meetings between the tow sides in all competitions.
Daniel Holdsworth is 3 points away from 500 in Super League (439 for Salford, 2010-2012 and 58 for Hull FC, 2013)
Super League summary:
Hull FC won 28
Wakefield won 8 (includes win in 2004 play-offs)
Hull FC highest score: 56-6 (H, 2000) (also widest margin)
Wakefield highest score: 37-22 (H, 2009) (Widest margin: 29-6, H, 2010)