Mike: Doncaster Session Was A Great Benefit

Hull RUFC’s season starts in a fortnight’s time with a trip to Otley in National 2 North on Saturday, 2 September. Before that, the players will continue to be put through their paces by director of rugby Mike Umaga. Umaga took the squad to Doncaster Knights last Friday and was delighted with the way the players bought into what was asked of them.

“I really enjoyed the session at Doncaster,” Umaga said.
“I was really excited before going there. I knew what the night would bring us to some extent, but what I wasn’t expecting was how the boys bought into it and rose to the occasion. It was an occasion because it’s something they haven’t done before. 
“The level of contact was perfect, just the right amount for us and there was plenty of fight in the group with and without the ball. It’s a credit to Doncaster as well as it was something new for them. 
“We went away positive because we wanted to go there and test what we have done over the previous four or five weeks and we certainly did that. 
“Pre-season has gone pretty well for us. It’s tough when we don’t have the luxury of being around all of the time, which Doncaster have. 
“We only have two nights and we set that out at the start of pre-season because it’s a long season lasting 10 months, so for us to eat into the players’ family time at the weekend as well would maybe put pressure on their family lives. 
“We have worked hard and we acquitted ourselves pretty well against Doncaster, but we have some areas we need to work on.”

One interested spectator watching on from the sidelines at Doncaster was last season’s co-captain Cam Curry, who announced his retirement due to injury. Umaga paid tribute to Curry and said the door will be open if he chooses to return at a later stage.

“It’s an unfortunate one for Cam,” Umaga said.
“Cam is a big loss for us with what he brings on the park.
“I’m sure he would have loved to have been out there at Doncaster but it’s testimony to him that he still came to watch the boys.
“You never know, situations change and I’m a never-say-never guy and the door is always open.
“He’s a good person and we’d like to have him involved in what we do.”