Season is on the line for Hull, admits Westerman ahead of Cup showdown

Although still only 23, the loose forward is realistically one of the more senior players in the Airlie Birds’ ranks and comes with a big reputation after the club forked out one of its largest transfer fees to lure him from Castleford Tigers almost three years ago.

Super League’s Young Player of the Year in 2007, Westerman has shown glimpses of the talent that initially marked him out as one of the game’s brightest prospects.

However, he is yet to consistently deliver – much like Hull themselves – and, so, Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington Wolves could be a chance to prove he can produce when it matters most.

“My form is steady,” said Westerman. “I’m still learning a lot and there’s a new half-back combination in here too.

“I’ve still a lot to improve and week after week I’m just trying to do that while personally get my own game back up there.

“I’ll keep working on that for now and hopefully make the team go a bit better as well.

“But I am only 23. It’s not so much pressure (to do well) but we’ve just got to do our job.

“I’m looking forward to it as it’s probably the biggest game of my career.”

Although not alone, Westerman came up with some costly errors as Hull squandered a winning position to lose at Bradford a week ago, a fifth successive Super League loss. He maintains their confidence is undimmed though, even against Cup holders who have not suffered defeat for more than two months.

“We weren’t the best (at Odsal), and we all know it wasn’t good enough and realise in the Cup if you play like that you’re not going to beat anyone,” added the England Knights international.

“We are definitely not favourites but to us that is probably a good thing. We’ve got quality in this team and know we are good enough to beat anyone.

“There is not that much at all that needs to change for us.

“There’s minor things we need to do in attack, but the defence has been brilliant recently.

“Our season is on the line but we’ve a good side together going into this Warrington match.”