Hull FC interim coach Andy Last has admitted the club are ‘gutted’ to see Zak Hardaker leave the club, but insists they could not stand in his way after he secured a longer-term deal with York Knights.
Hardaker’s departure was confirmed earlier this week, bringing an end to his stint with the Black and Whites.
Addressing the exit, Last praised the veteran’s contribution to the squad: “Gutted. [He’s a] good player is Zak, he’s been a good servant for us.
“In the two years he’s been very consistent, but he’s managed to earn himself an extra couple of years obviously at York, and obviously we were in a position where we could only guarantee him the 12 months.”
Last added: “It’s a good deal for Zak and the club didn’t want to stand in his way for being such a good servant to us.”
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Andy Last addresses Zak Hardaker replacement and York Knights move
While Hull FC will now look to adapt, Last acknowledged that finding a direct replacement for Hardaker’s unique traits and versatility will be no easy task.
“Hopefully it won’t be a huge loss, but Zak brings some qualities which are very hard to replace,” Last explained.
“He’s a great competitor, his versatility is something which we’ve desperately needed over the last two years,
“He’s played centre, wing, full-back, half-back, back-row, so he’s a very versatile player, and obviously York have got a good player, and we wish him all the best.”
Highlighting what York head coach Mark Applegarth will be inheriting, Last stressed the day-to-day standard Hardaker sets.
“I think the biggest thing that Zak brings every day is that competitiveness and I think that’s something obviously that Mark’s seen as the York head coach.
“He turns up and competes every single day in training. He competes extremely hard whenever he takes to the field. He’s a good player and he’s been a great servant for us.”
Hull FC prep for Leeds Rhinos ‘challenge’ and Tom Briscoe’s retirement
The clash also marks the final professional appearance of Tommy Briscoe’s career, with Last hoping the emotion of the occasion will inspire a huge response against one of Briscoe’s former clubs, Leeds Rhinos.
“I’m sure Leeds supporters will turn out in force to celebrate Tommy Briscoe’s last game of his career,” Last said.
“He’s been a great servant to the Leeds Rhinos, a great servant to us and obviously a great servant to Leigh.”
Paying tribute to the outgoing winger both on and off the pitch, Last added: “I’ve spoken about Tom at length.
“He’s a champion player, a champion person,
“He comes from a great family, Tom’s just been a great credit to his family and to himself,
“Now he’s got a young family. He’s a husband and a dad and he’s a doctor,
“He’s ticked off plenty of boxes.”
Last is eager for the squad to send Briscoe out on a high note despite expecting a fierce reaction from Leeds following their recent defeat.
“I’m hoping the emotion of this last game spurs the other 16 blokes who take to the field to put in a strong performance,
“Tom deserves a real strong performance from the Black and Whites,
“It’d be great to put in a real strong performance against a team in the Rhinos who he served with great distinction and we put on a good spectacle because he deserves it.
“We’re expecting the best version of Leeds. I anticipate them really coming flying out the blocks. Seeing their squad, they’ve got some key players back for them, so it’s going to be a real challenge.”
