Hull FC’s Zak Hardaker has aired a change to playing full-back in 2026.(Image: SW PIX)
Zak Hardaker has stated that Super League’s new ruck speeds caught Hull FC by surprise this off-season, with the side recruiting and then training for a certain style before changing on the run as the quicker rucks were implemented.
The competition has seen vast changes to the way it’s played this season, with quicker rucks in place across the board. Ultimately, that has made the game faster, changing the way teams operate in both attack and defence.
And Hardaker has admitted those changes hit Hull for six, with the 34-year-old also noticing a difference to the full-back position – a role he has had for the last two games after winning the Man of Steel playing in the role back in 2015.
“The new rules came in and it changed a bit of the dynamic of where our season was probably going to head,” Hardaker, speaking on All Out Rugby League’s Back 10 podcast, said. “We trained a certain way for probably about three months under last year’s rules and then this fast-paced game was shown to us in the first week of January.
“It probably took a dent in our preparations and where we thought we were going to be, but everyone’s getting used to it and every club’s the exact same. I’m not saying it’s just Hull, but it has made a difference.”
And on the full-back spot, the faster rucks have brought a key difference to where the ball is caught, with a faster game meaning Hardaker is catching deeper and making more yardage carries.
He continued: “The ruck speed, for one, and probably trying to nullify a team in their 20 – that is the biggest change. Teams are getting a roll on and you’re catching the ball in your own 10 quite a lot of the time.
“In years gone by, or 10 years ago when I was playing there, you get a good kick underway, and you tackle a team in their 10, and you’re catching it on your 20 or 30, and then you’re straight into a good ball set near enough, but yeah, it’s a lot quicker, a lot faster-paced, and you’re catching the ball on your own 5/10-metre line. It’s then a good tough yardage carry after that. That’s the biggest difference.”
But despite the pace of the game, the 34-year-old is holding up, playing a key role as Hull defeated Leeds 24-16 on Sunday afternoon.
“It was a huge win for us,” he said. “The body’s all right. It’s not too bad. I’m still adapting to the full-back life, having trained predominantly probably at centre, so yeah, the legs are a little bit sore but I think that’s nullified by the massive win that we got.
“At the time, I’m alright. It’s the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. That’s when the body starts creaking. It’s probably the offloading that you have to do a little bit more at 34.
“I’m not a spring chicken anymore. I have to have a look at myself and the recovery is a lot different. The process is probably missing a field session or two in a week, just getting it right.
“Mentally I’m pretty good. But yeah, the knees and the hips and the joints, I can feel it, but I’ve still got a few years in me yet, which is pretty good. I just want to compete at every game, home and away. I want to win.”
Hardaker has also praised Jake Arthur and John Asiata for leading Hull to victory. He added: “It was Jake’s best game, Johnny’s best game. Ligi, too – I think that’s one of the best games he’s played for a number of years. Being out as well for the whole of last year. Belly on the edge there as well.
“I think everyone stepped up and played their part which we needed against a team that’s athletically good like Leeds at the minute. They are flying from the Vegas trip. It was a massive game for the club, a massive game for the players, and hopefully we can go on now for the rest of the year and use that as a stepping stone.”