FromTONE DEAF Smith to ignore the doubters
EMBATTLED Hull boss Tony Smith is ready to swing the axe but insists he will get time to sort his embarrassed side.
Just a fortnight after being dumped out of the Challenge Cup by the Giants in a 50-6 rout, Ian Watson’s side hammered hapless Hull again. Having scored four tries in that first meeting, prolific winger Adam Swift had to settle for just a hat-trick this time against his former club. But it didn’t matter as shambolic FC gifted plenty more out to his pals in a humiliating 10-try mauling. They have conceded 50 points or more in three of their last four games to leave Smith under huge pressure.
But the veteran Aussie said: “I’m good. When everybody tells me I can’t do something I get more and more determined.
“When it all turns – and it will – I’ll be pleased. The more we cop the more determined I am.
“I was brought in here to help change this culture and I will. It’s hurting at the moment. It’s horrible. We have to toughen up.”
Hull even saw Samoa forward Ligi Sao sin-binned twice in the second half for foul play to illustrate the depths of their problems.
Swift took just 54 seconds to score Huddersfield’s first try.
Liam Sutcliffe responded with a slick try from Jack Charles’ clever delayed pass and Sao’s offload.
But Swift was gifted his second after Lewis Martin lost the ball and Jack Murchie added a third, latching on to Adam Clune’s grubber.
Hull stand-off Charles, 20, has plenty of promise, shown when his fine chip
was gathered for Sutcliffe’s second try. Charles converted to leave Hull just 18-10 behind on 24 minutes.
But the visitors then eased in for four tries in nine minutes.
Esan Marsters, Swift, Luke Yates and Kevin Naiqama all profited while barely breaking sweat.
Hull’s Kiwi hooker Nu Brown dived over to stem the tide.
But it didn’t last long as Tui Lolohea scored twice and, after Franklin Pele’s consolation, Jake Bibby finished it off.
Watson said: “Swifty’s been top for us. He’s unreal and brings sheer pace.
“He took a nasty knock to his eye in the end but hopefully he’ll be okay.”