Richie Myler explains Hull FC’s pre-season mantra as John Asiata offers early boost

Hull FC have been challenged to create a more professional environment this pre-season, building their training programme on attitude, desire, and hard work alike.

Such traits are hoped to be at the forefront of everything this squad does under John Cartwright, with new headline signing John Asiata leading the way. The 31-year-old reported for training on Monday, despite not being due back until the start of December.

Asiata had been given extra time off following his involvement in the Super League play-offs and then on the international stage with Samoa. However, the loose-forward has still been showing his face at his new club and took part in full training on Monday, with the player fit and raring to go. For Richie Myler, who took over as the club’s director of rugby in April, it shows where this Hull squad is at, with a hungry crop of players ready to set their marks and right the wrongs of last season.

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Speaking exclusively to Hull Live, Myler said: "John really wants to lead from the front. He's just showing his willingness. We don't want him to do too much as he's had a long season, but it's good to see him in there helping those young boys and being a part of it.

"I think everyone is excited to be at work again. Everyone understands that there is a lot of hard work ahead, but it's an environment that you want to be in and one you want to come to work in. Of course, we also don't want to get caught too far behind the pack, but they're all training really hard and really well."

Training at the University of Hull complex, the club’s new purpose-built hub was fully complete ahead of pre-season, helping the squad build their desired environment. As previously reported, days are now longer, more intense, and more professional, with the players building an identity on site. For Myler, the importance of that is huge.

"The players didn't have a good year last season, so they're coming in refreshed at a new training venue with new faces; everything has come at once," Myler continued. "They've had a good break, and they wanted to hit the ground running.

"When things are new and there's different voices, it's an exciting project to be a part of. Of course, we haven't played a game yet; it's all running and training, but they've come in with the right attitude, and they're all willing to rip in. There's not too many boys too far off."

Centring everything on hard work, Myler, who has overseen the desired changes this year, believes a common ground has been found with the club and its supporters, who understand the journey ahead.

"If you put in the hard work, then you'll give yourself a fighting chance," Myler explained. "That is our mantra for the whole pre-season. We know it's going to be tough, and we know it's going to be a long road back from where this club has been, but by putting in the hard work and everyone stepping up their game and committing to a cause that everyone wants to buy into, it gives you a chance.

"That's all we can ask from where we've been to where we want to try and get to, to give ourselves a fighting chance and put some pride back in the shirt. I just think putting a performance in that everyone can get behind, that's what they're trying to do."

Myler added: "The fans forum was very clear. We've got a fan base that understands our situation. They get it. They understand, and they know where we're at as a club and where we want to get to. We have expectations, and we all expect to win; that's the reason why we play and the ultimate end goal, but they also have an understanding and a reality that there is a lot of hard work in front of us, but I feel like the group is buying into it.

"That, for me, is the exciting part of it, as I think there's a group of people here who understand what it’s going to take, and that’s a lot of hard work. They've got a coach in John Cartwright who is delivering a programme that is centred around that. There’s enough passionate people in there who can drive what it means to play for Hull, too, which is a good recipe for giving ourselves that fighting chance. It’s all been very positive so far."

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