Brett Hodgson calls Hull derby THE derby

Hull FC Head Coach Brett Hodgson believes no other rivalry in rugby league compares to the Hull derby.

Hodgson has been involved with Hull FC since the 2021 season. They only played one game against each other in 2021, with Hodgson’s team coming out on top 23-22.

However, unlike that game, this game will take place at Sewell Group Craven Park, the home of Hull KR. The match will be taking place in front of a sell-out crowd.

Hodgson believes best derby debate is no contest

It is always the time of the year when the debate comes out over which derby is the best. It is usually between the Hull derby, and the derby between St Helens and Wigan.

However, Hodgson believes there is no contest in that respect.

He told the club website: “Having played in derbies elsewhere, this one is just something else. Those other rivalries don’t compare – this is the derby.

“Even comparing it to some of those Sydney derbies I was involved with as a player, the supporters are so much louder, the build-up is more intense, and there’s much more at stake.

“We want our players to embrace the build-up as much as they can – we need training to be as normal as possible, but understand and enjoy what the game is about. It’s all part of that rivalry and part of playing for one of the teams in this city.

“Having been in this city for around 16 months, it’s clear to me how much this fixture means to our fans, there is a lot at stake. Whether its our chairman, CEO, supporters, staff, sponsors or whoever, everyone associated with the club wants a positive result from this game and we’ll put in the right focus points.

“We need to make sure that those emotions involved with the match don’t overrun us, but at the end of the day, it’s just eighty minutes of rugby league.”

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