Hull FC captain Aidan Sezer on his ongoing rehab, his return target, and Jake Arthur.
Hull FC half-back Aidan Sezer.(Image: Hull FC)
Aidan Sezer has stated he will be ‘touch and go’ to start the new Hull FC season. The Black and Whites skipper has had a fair bit of work done to his shoulder in the off-season and while in pre-season training once again following a spell back home in Australia, he is still in rehab after going under the knife.
However, Sezer is in good spirits and confident he can make the season start following his surgery. He’s already two months in and with 11 weeks or so until the Super League opener against Bradford Bulls, time is on his side.
The 34-year-old will give it his best shot to feature at the MKM Stadium for Hull’s opening night on February 14, with the player hoping to shave some time off his prognosis with a strong run in rehab.
Speaking to Hull Live, Sezer said: “Hopefully, I should be good (for round one). I’ll be pretty touch and go but I’m confident in the medical staff we’ve got at the club that they will get me ready to go.
“I’m back in training now. It’s good to be back in and building into this week and towards next year. I’m just in the rehab process. I’ve had a few things done to my shoulder in the off-season, but it’s on the mend. It’s a 20-week rehab. I’m around two months in now. It’s coming along well. I’m feeling good.”
Of course, it was no secret that Sezer played through the pain barrier at the end of last season in Hull’s quest for the top six. But the captain takes confidence that he will be fully fit again once he returns to the field and is raring to go for his second campaign in the black and white.
“It’s our duty as players to play through things like that,” Sezer modestly said. “It’s what we get paid to do, to play and perform. I did that to the best of my ability, albeit with a bung shoulder, but I’ve had the surgery now and hopefully it will come good again.”
And while there is frustration for Sezer in that he isn’t out on the training field now getting the reps alongside his new halves partner Jake Arthur, he’s seeing the positives. In fact, with John Asiata also still in rehab and not running until around Christmas time, it’s actually given other members of the spine a key responsibility.
“It’s not ideal not putting reps in through the pre-season; it never is, but it’s rugby league and these things happen,” Sezer said. “Injuries are part of the game and we’ve just got to make do with what we have now.
“I think it’s a good chance for Jake and Prycey (Will Pryce) to put their stamp on the team with me and John Asiata not being back in full training yet. It will help their growth as players and leaders as well. That can only be good for the side.”
On Arthur, who is one of eight new recruits at the club having signed a two-year deal, Sezer is optimistic for what’s ahead. He said: “In terms of where the club’s going, to sign someone at Jake’s age and with his experience and the kid he is, bodes well. He’s a student of the game; you can see that, and he’s a smart player and an intelligent player.
“He’s got years ahead of him and to have Jake in our team now and for the next few years, I think his game and my own game can really complement each other.
“The expectation is also lowered, as he’s not a household name like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves or someone like that, but he’s a good kid – he’s been around NRL systems for a long time and he knows what it’s about and he understands the strengths in his game.
“He’s going to be awesome for us. He’s a big boy; he’s tall and he’s fit. He’s only going to be good for the club. He’s a good trainer and he’s professional in the way he conducts himself in and around training. I can’t train with him throughout the pre-season because of my shoulder, but we’re smart enough to be on the same page when the time comes.”