Video: Teams will not want to play us at our place, says Hull FC’s Westerman

The loose-forward played a central role in guiding the Black and Whites to a crucial 22-12 derby win at Hull KR on Friday to gain a third successive victory and confirm their spot.

They may have only sneaked into the Super 8s – Hull are seventh ahead of Thursday’s final regular game against visiting Wigan Warriors – but they are finding some consistency.

“We’ve got form now, have won three games on the bounce and could still go as high as sixth if we beat Wigan,” said Westerman.

“This is the start of it all for us and we are firing. Teams won’t want to play us at our place and, now our season has been assured – and we’re not going down there (to the middle eights) – we can concentrate on playing each week and shocking some teams.

“It was a massive win at Hull KR. We needed that. It was our season there on the line and we showed what it meant to us. It was outstanding.”

Hull realised defeat could leave them in danger of being dragged into the bottom four and opening up the potential of relegation.

However, despite losing captain Gareth Ellis to a season-ending Achilles injury and stand-off Leon Pryce to a shoulder problem, both in the first half, they were too good for their bitter rivals, who are now almost certainly consigned to the bottom quartet themselves.

“Gaz and Leon were a massive loss early on,” admitted Westerman.

“Gaz being on the field is different – he brings the whole team up and is a massive influence on us all.

“He’s a massive leader. Leon’s injury is not as bad as first thought so that’s one good thing.

“But that display showed what determination we had to get in that eight.”

Westerman, 25, praised teenager Jordan Abdull who effortlessly replaced Pryce.

“He stepped in and that’s what you want from young kids,” he said.

“Jordan’s a good player and he’s got a lot of improvement to do, but he showed on Friday that he’s going to be world-class.”