‘Maturing’ Hull FC playmaker Jake Connor is getting the coach’s message at last

The England international has been in fine form at stand-off of late but switched to full-back in Thursday’s 31-16 derby win over Hull KR and earned man-of-the-match.

Long regarded as one of Super League’s most gifted but also inconsistent players, Connor created four tries and showed yet another string to his bow.

As someone who freely admits enjoying antagonising opponents with ‘sledging’, that has sometimes affected his displays negatively, but Connor now seems to be learning to be a player who stands out for the right reasons.

Last said: “He’s 26 and he needed to. He’s starting to mature a little bit and understand that he’s not getting caught up in the sledging and that sort of stuff.

“He was really, really good tonight. Jake is a talented player. Wherever he plays, at half-back, centre or now at full-back, he just wants the ball in his hands.

“He makes things happen. “The challenge for us – and certainly myself – is just to keep him consistent and keeping that six inches between the ears in the right space.

“He is listening and he likes the consistent message that he’s getting from myself. I hope that the penny has finally started to drop with him.”

Last admits Connor is still a work in progress and said: “Hopefully he sees the rewards for being consistent in his lifestyle and what he’s doing away from the field.

“We’ve worked on it together. I spoke to him about emotional intelligence and he is acting far more positively.

“We do individual video with him each week and the benefit we have of no fans being in the ground is you can hear every word; if his sledging has a negative effect he’ll be having his wings clipped.”

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