Hull FC coach Lee Radford NOT snubbed in dressing room probe, says Gareth Ellis

Radford revealed he was “kicked out” of the changing room as the squad looked to dissect Thursday night’s dreadful performance, bringing into question his own authority after a third successive defeat for the Airlie Birds.

However, Ellis said the decision was merely a requirement of addressing the burning issues.

“We needed to nip it in the bud,” said the former Great Britain second-row, with Hull in dire need of a win against his former club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats this Friday.

“We thought between me and the senior players about leaving it until the morning, but we thought it was important to get it out there in the open.

“We just looked everyone in the eye and said ‘that’s not good enough’.

“It wasn’t acceptable and we need to address whatever it is, whether it is away from the field or on the field, individually or as a team.

“We need to put it right because the season will soon slip away from us.”

Asked if it was a sleight on Radford, Ellis maintained: “No, not at all.

“It was just an opportunity for us as players.

“Radders wasn’t even in the room when we said it. We just wanted to speak to ourselves because ultimately we’re the ones that go out there.

“They give us the tools to go perform, but we didn’t do anything we spoke about in the week.

“That’s disappointing. Something needs to change otherwise this year we will just end up on the edge of the eight and that’s not good enough.”

Hull had won their opening two games to raise hopes of a positive 2016, but that feelgood factor has soon dissipated.

Former Bradford, St Helens and Catalans Dragons coach Mick Potter has been appointed as Fiji’s new head coach.

Potter, 52, twice Super League coach of the year who is currently assistant to Nathan Brown at Newcastle Knights, will be in charge for the Bati’s Test match against Papua New Guinea at Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, on May 7.