Embattled Hull boss Tony Smith is ready to swing the axe but insists he’ll get time to sort his embarrassed side.
Just a fortnight after being dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Huddersfield in a 50-6 rout, Ian Watson’s side hammered hapless Hull again. Having scored four tries in that first meeting, prolific winger Adam Swift had to settle for just a hat-trick this time against his former club. But it didn’t matter because shambolic FC gifted plenty more out to his pals in a humiliating ten-try mauling.
They have won just once in seven games this season and this was a fifth straight loss. They have conceded 50 points or more in three of their last four games to leave ex-England boss Smith under huge pressure. But, asked about his own confidence and whether he thinks he'll be given time, the veteran Aussie insisted: “I’m good. When everybody tells me I can’t do something I get more and more determined.
“When it all turns - and it will - I’ll be pleased. The more we cop the more determined I am. [Chairman] Adam [Pearson] and [CEO] James [Clark] know where we’re going with this and we’re digging in together. They understand there’ll be some heartache. I was brought in here to help change this culture. And I will.
“Some players’ confidence is shot. And I’m not sure some will recover from that. Some may have to go into reserve grade to get built back-up. It’s hurting at the moment. It’s horrible. We have to toughen up. But we’ll get there.”
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Hull even saw Samoa forward Ligi Sao sin-binned TWICE in the second half for foul play to illustrate the depths of their problems. Swift took just 54 seconds to score Huddersfield’s first try and home fans will have already feared the worst seeing how easily their brittle defence was exposed. Liam Sutcliffe responded with a slick try from Jack Charles’ clever delayed pass and Sao’s offload.
Huddersfield's Jake Bibby goes over for the final score in a ten try mauling of Hull (Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)But Swift was gifted his second after Lewis Martin lost the ball and Jack Murchie added a third latching onto Adam Clune’s grubber. Hull stand-off Charles, 18, has plenty of promise, shown when his fine midfield chip was gathered for Sutcliffe’s second try. Charles converted to leave Hull just 18-10 behind on 24 minutes.
But their inability to defend was brutally highlighted as the visitors eased in for four tries in nine minutes. Esan Marsters, Swift, Luke Yates and - after Jack Brown was sin-binned for a tip-tackle - Kevin Naiqama all profited while barely breaking sweat. Jake Connor’s sixth of seven goals saw Huddersfield 40-10 ahead at the break. Hull’s Kiwi hooker Nu Brown dived over to stem the tide.
But it didn’t last long as Tui Lolohea breezed through and fended off debutant Logan Moy, 18, to score. He soon got his second and, after Pele’s consolation, Jake Bibby finished things off. Watson said: “That first half was clinical, just outstanding.
"And Swifty’s been top for us. He’s unreal and brings sheer pace. He took a nasty knock to his eye in the end but hopefully he’ll be alright for next Saturday [Challenge Cup quarter-final at Catalans].”
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