Hull FC boss Andy Last sees key duo back in the fold

HULL FC interim head coach Andy Last says there will be some “disappointed” players left out of his squad against Castleford Tigers as he prepares to welcome Albert Kelly and Manu Ma’u back into his plans.
Hull FC's Albert Kelly in action as his side knocked Castleford Tigers out of the Challenge Cup last month. (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)Hull FC's Albert Kelly in action as his side knocked Castleford Tigers out of the Challenge Cup last month. (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)
Hull FC's Albert Kelly in action as his side knocked Castleford Tigers out of the Challenge Cup last month. (ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX)

The duo have missed plenty of action of late due to injury and illness respectively but both are named in the 21-man squad as Hull return to action at their home ground of KCOM Stadium on Sunday for the first time since March.

“We’ve got a couple of notable additions there and I’ve got some tough decisions to make as the 21 there have all contributed in the last couple of weeks,” said Last.

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“There will be some disappointed players but I’m going to try and pick a team where we get some fresh legs in there where we can and with a view also of what’s coming on Thursday against Catalans.”

Teenage stand-off Ben McNamara, who has impressed in the last three games, and prop Lewis Bienek drop out.

Captain Danny Houghton is also back having only seen his Covid retest result returned after Tuesday’s match against Huddersfield Giants had already started.

But, after the hard-fought 18-16 win over Giants, Last needs to work out how to get stand-off Kelly into his 17 with Jake Connor - who has filled in at full-back at times - impressing in the halves.

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He said: “I still haven’t quite decided on the make-up of the bench. Jamie Shaul, at full-back, was excellent against Huddersfield.

“His industry - 24 carries, he ran for over 150 metres, made a couple of key line breaks - and he organised the defensive line really well, to, while he gets on a lot of plays which sometimes can go unseen.

“What he gives us, too, is speed and in the modern game that is a real threat for opposition defences so Jamie has certainly locked in that full-back spot.

“But I thought that was the best game Jake Connor has played for us as a half-back as he showed patience and maturity in certain aspects of his game - decisions-making kick selection pass selection - and Marc Sneyd did what he does for us with that game management.

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“It will be difficult for us to change that spine but we’ll find a way to get Alby into the team somewhere whether that’s from the bench, which is something he’s done with great success in the past.

“He’s a talented player and someone who can change the dynamic of the game because of his explosiveness.

“But we want tough decisions at this time of the year with fit bodies and motivated players. It will be interesting the team selection and getting that right.”

Kelly has not played since straining a hamstring in the Challenge Cup win over Castleford on September 9 while Ma'u's last game was the loss against Salford Red Devils just over three weeks ago.

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On Houghton, the 32-year-old hooker, Last added: “He’s absolutely fine.

“Unfortunately for us we found he was negative from Covid two hours after the game kicked off this week so he drove all the way to Warrington.

“ We were told he had a chance to play. We had a cut-off point of four o’clock to get that test back and it came and went and I didn’t feel it was right to hold Danny any longer.

“That’s when we made the decision to put Ben (McNamara) on the bench

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“Danny understood that. It was a shame. Ben got the opportunity and it didn't cost us the result but your captain and one of your best players - someone you want in the team - couldn't play although it was nobody's fault.

“It’s the nature of what’s happened with Covid."

Castleford have not played since a 32-28 home defeat by Hull a fortnight ago.

Their game against Leeds Rhinos last week was postponed because they could not raise a team due to injuries and Covid - Hull coming in as Leeds' opponents instead at less than 24 hours notice.

Castleford hope to have injured half-backs Jake Trueman and Danny Richardson back in the side after they returned to training this week.

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Second-row Jesse Sene-Lefao is also back in contention in their 21-man squad with youngsters Brad Graham and Bailey Richardson potentially in line for debuts. Derrell Olpherts, James Clare, Greg Eden, Calum Turner and Dan Fleming are the ones who drop out from their last 21-man squad named for Leeds.

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