Re-invigorated Long will lead from front for Hull

MOST players would be offended at suggestions they may only have got a leadership role to keep them on the straight and narrow.

But the ever-colourful Sean Long is not most players so it was no surprise when he was quick to see the funny side yesterday as the surprise news was announced that the veteran scrum-half will be the new Hull captain at KC Stadium.

"I just said that myself," he joked, bursting into laughter at the thought of one of the game's most controversial characters being handed such responsibility.

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However, Long then quickly started underlining why Hull coach Richard Agar has handed the ex-Great Britain star the armband in his first season with the Super League club.

"I think the way I've conducted myself since I've been here, I must be doing something right in training," said Long, who ended his trophy-laden 12-year career with St Helens for a new beginning on the east coast.

"I do get on with Rich pretty well and I'm rugby mad to be honest. All I do is talk about rugby and training and he wants someone who is going to be on the field for 80 minutes, so it suits."

Long's off-field exploits are just as legendary as the magic he has produced on it.

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His explosive autobiography released last year may not be anywhere near Pulitzer standard – former team-mate Martin Gleeson asked if Ladybird was publishing it when told Long was penning his memoirs – but Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal could certainly win awards for most apt book title of 2009.

The self-confessed 'wild man of rugby league' was once banned for four months after betting against his own team and also walked out on a Great Britain tour Down Under after a booze-fuelled cross-country flight. But Long has also proved one of Super League's finest players, winning every honour in the game with Saints, and insists such crazy days are behind him.

Now approaching his 34th birthday, he wanted double the one-year deal Saints offered him last summer and Agar was happy to oblige knowing the impact such a stellar name could have on his under-performing charges.

In winning the armband, he saw off competition from Lee Radford, who had performed the task admirably for three years and is now club captain, as well as fellow new recruit Craig Fitzgibbon, the experienced former Australian Test forward who was presumed favourite.

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Agar – eager to banish the memory of his side finishing 12th last term – said: "We were probably spoilt for choice.

"We've got a pretty strong leadership group but Sean is one of the most successful and influential players of his generation. From the day he walked into the joint, he's not only commanded respect but he's been steadily imparting his knowledge with the other players. It's a fairly logical choice."

Long had obvious concerns about the feelings of hometown hero Radford – "it was the first question I asked Rich" – but added: "When they announced the captaincy the other day, he came and gave me a love. We had a squeeze."

Long has had previous experience as a captain, often leading Saints in the absence of Paul Sculthorpe and Keiron Cunningham, while actually lifting the 2006 Grand Final trophy, ironically after their defeat of Hull.

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The Airlie Birds have been seeking a reputable half-back partner for Richard Horne ever since Paul Cooke departed for city rivals Hull KR the following year.

Long, who is flitting regularly between his new Hull home and seeing his family in Wigan, should fit the bill perfectly although he admits it has been strange fitting into a new environment after more than a decade at Knowsley Road.

"It was a bit weird at first but I seem to be getting on really well," said Long, who will debut in Horne's testimonial against Rovers on Sunday.

"It freshens you up. I'm like a 20-year-old running around training trying to impress. I'm bouncing around and looking forward to a big season."

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Asked to assess Hull's chances in 2010 he said: "I really don't know. First of all we want to make the play-offs but we want to be pushing for the top four with the squad we've got. I don't want to be saying too much before the season starts though."

However, given Hull's recruitment there is an air that he knows – and no doubt expects – Hull to be mounting a serious challenge.

In the meantime, another sign that Long is no longer the loose cannon of old is that he does not even rate himself as the daftest at the KC.

"Ogre is just absolutely nuts," he said, referring to another

ex-Kangaroo import, the hardened prop Mark O'Meley.

"He's crackers and can't sit still for two minutes. He is miles worse than me."

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