Talanoa reveals his Hull FC nerves at comeback

Fetuli Talanoa scores Hull's fourth try. Picture Bruce Rollinson

The Tongan made a confident try-scoring return in the Black and Whites’ opening Super League fixture of the year, Friday’s 42-20 win over Salford Red Devils, despite having been out of action since last season.

Talanoa had not featured in any of the club’s friendlies after knee surgery and a hamstring problem yet instantly looked sharp.

However, he revealed: “I was so nervous beforehand, for the whole day up to the match.

“Personally I felt a bit rusty just getting back into the contact side of the game and playing again.

“I should be alright once I get few a games under belt, though, and it’s always good to get out with a win in round one.

“All the boys were excited coming in after the trial (win against Hull KR) and we were all focused on getting that victory against Salford.”

Talanoa, 28, quickly struck up a dangerous link with new centre Carlos Tuimavave and fellow NRL recruit Frank Pritchard, who caused havoc on Hull’s left edge.

“It’s all coming together on that left side and we’ve a few dangerous players especially Frank,” he said,

“It takes a few players to stop him and it makes it easier for Sneydy (half-back Marc Sneyd) to find either one of us or Shauly (Jamie Shaul) out the back.

“I felt all our new signings settled in pretty well and to look at them you’d think they’d been here last year, too; the combinations are running smoothly.

“We’ve got a tough game coming up at Catalan, though, on Saturday.

“It’s always hard going over there and Radders (Lee Radford) told us the stat that we’d not won there for eight or nine years so that’s good to think about.

“Friday is done. Now we roll on to France.”