The third and final Hull derby of the season is set for tomorrow, with Hull KR aiming to secure a clean sweep over their local rivals. However, BBC pundit Kevin Brown has suggested that Hull FC could potentially cause an upset.
There’s ongoing debate about which game holds the most significance in Super League, but for many, the Hull derby stands out as a match that truly divides a city, sometimes even splitting households.
However, in 2024, the rivalry has been notably one-sided, with Hull KR comfortably winning both encounters so far. They are also favored to win the upcoming third match. In the season opener, the Robins secured a 22-0 victory at the MKM Stadium, followed by a 34-10 win at home on Good Friday.
Recent Hull derbies at the MKM Stadium have been heavily lopsided, with Hull KR dominating, evidenced by a combined scoreline of 98-4 over the last three meetings there, with Hull FC being held scoreless in the last two.
Despite this recent history, BBC pundit Kevin Brown has hinted at a potential upset by Hull FC this Saturday. He points to the club’s emerging talents as key factors that could lead to a surprise result. A win for Hull FC would mark only their third victory of the season and their third in eight Hull derbies over the past three years.
Do FC have the building blocks of a team that can win the Hull derby?
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Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live Rugby League podcast, Kevin Brown highlighted Hull FC’s recent improvement, attributing it to specific players and the overall trust in the club’s young talents.
The former England international noted, “I watched the Hull FC game against Salford, and they were very unlucky. Ben Reynolds narrowly missed a couple of tough conversions, but if he had made just one of them, and they addressed a bit of ill-discipline, that’s how close they are.”
Brown particularly praised the impact of full-back Logan Moy, emphasizing his class and X-factor. He drew comparisons to Bevan French, expressing excitement whenever Moy takes to the field.
Kevin Brown highlighted the rise of Logan Moy and several other academy products who have recently signed contract extensions, underscoring Hull FC’s commitment to nurturing young talent. Reflecting on the club’s strategy, he noted:
“He’s [Logan Moy] just come from nowhere. I’ve never seen him play in the academy, and Simon Grix has taken a chance on him. What I will say about Hull FC this year is they’ve given opportunities to many youngsters like Jack Charles, Will Kirby who made his debut last weekend, Denive Balmforth who’s been playing really well, and Logan Moy.”
Brown acknowledged that these young talents might face challenges in the upcoming derby against Hull KR, but he emphasized the long-term benefits of gaining experience. Looking ahead, he suggested:
“It might not help them this weekend against the Robins, but in the years to come, this experience will be invaluable. I truly believe this could be one of the closest derbies we’ve seen in a long time.”
Can Hull FC upset the odds?
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Kevin Brown boldly stated that Hull FC are his pick for the upcoming clash, expressing a strong intuition about their chances in the game scheduled for 3 pm tomorrow. He noted the surprising lack of build-up from Sky Sports, which had left fans taken aback.
Brown elaborated, saying, “Hull FC are starting to regain their form, and Hull KR may have eased off a bit. In previous matches, KR have approached the game expecting it to be tough, and I think they still anticipate the same challenge. Hull FC haven’t consistently met fan expectations lately.”
He continued, “I have a gut feeling about this one, especially with the young Hull players. The core of any strong team often lies in its young players, and I believe their passion and determination to defeat their closest rivals will be evident this weekend.”
