Jake Connor responds to Eddie Jones’ rugby union code switch comments

Correspondent
Jake Connor

Hull full-back Jake Connor says England rugby union coach Eddie Jones was right in calling into doubt his fitness but believes the 15-man code would be too boring for him.

Jones singled out Connor during an interview with Sky Sports at Warrington, where he was a guest of the club at Monday’s Super League match against St Helens and claimed the former Huddersfield player would be suited to a switch of codes but would need to improve his fitness.

Sky presenter Brian Carney labelled Jones a joker for the comment but Connor says it was not without justification.

“I don’t think he was wrong,” Connor told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Magic Weekend clash with Leeds.

“It’s always been a thing of mine, my fitness is something I’m always working on to get better at. So I don’t think he’s wrong in that department.

“But obviously I’ve never played union, it doesn’t look that hard. You never say never but it looks too boring for me.”

Connor says he got to know Jones during the two days he spent at the Hull club earlier in the year.

“I had a few chats,” he said. “He’s a great bloke and he seems like a great coach. You could tell he was one of those coaches who players would want to play for.

“He’d laugh and joke but he’s not afraid to spray you in front of everyone. You can tell he’s got that other side.

“It was a good insight, we had a few good chats.”

Meanwhile, Connor says Hull face a break-or-make clash with Leeds at St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Black and Whites have won just one of their last seven league games and, with the Rhinos, are among four teams battling for the two remaining play-off spots.

“It’s probably the most important game,” Connor said. “With both teams fighting for that play-off spot and, with the form we’ve been in for the past two games, it’s a must-win.

“If we win this game, hopefully we can take that momentum into the last couple of games and land a spot in the play-offs. If we lose this, I don’t think there’s any second chances.”

Super League Eddie Jones

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