Zak Hardaker’s future plays into the hands of Hull FC as big signing touted by Brett Hodgson

It may seem an ‘out there’ statement, but Zak Hardaker’s future is set to play into the hands of Hull FC.

With current Leeds Rhinos fullback Jack Walker on loan at the Black and Whites, his future largely depends on whether or not Hardaker is given another contract by Rohan Smith and Gary Hetherington at Headingley.

For Walker, a loan deal until the end of the season at the MKM Stadium has been the perfect tonic to hitting some good form and he proved just that in Hull’s big win over bitter derby rivals Hull KR at the Magic Weekend.

And, Walker’s agent, Craig Harrison of Show Me The Money UK, has revealed just how much he is enjoying his time in East Yorkshire, though the future beyond 2022 is unclear.

“Jack’s loved it,” Harrison told The Full Eighty Minutes podcast.

“First day training he rang and said he needed this, but will he stay at Hull or go back to Leeds? No idea.

“Did he think he’d play at Leeds all of his life? 100 percent, but there’s an option and there’s a deadline.

“There’s not a lot of time on that and it would have to be a quick call. It’s one that wouldn’t do him any harm if he wants to go.”

Harrison also professed that Walker’s future is largely dependant on where Hardaker ends up at the end of 2022, with the former Castleford Tigers fullback excelling under Smith so far.

“If Leeds extend Zak (Hardaker) then I think that is it at Leeds for Jack,” Harrison confessed.

“I’m an honest guy and I don’t see, with Jack wanting to play regular, how that would happen, but that’s the world we’re in – that’s rugby league and we will see what happens.”

Hull go up against Castleford Tigers tonight in Lee Radford’s first game back at the MKM Stadium since being sacked over two years ago.