Tex Hoy: Hull FC’s new signing steps out of his comfort zone in the move from NRL to Super League | News about rugby league

Tex Hoy is swapping NRLs for Betfred Super League after agreeing to join Hull FC from Newcastle Knights on a two-year deal; watch Hull FC host Castleford Tigers live on Sky Sports Arena on Friday from 7.30pm (8pm start)

Tex Hoy will join Hull FC from Newcastle Knights next season

Tex Hoy will have a few familiar faces to help him settle into life in Kingston Upon Hull when he trades NRL for Betfred Super League at the end of the year. Unfortunately, however, the two will move to the bitter cross-city rivals of his new club.

The 22-year-old has agreed a two-year contract with a third option with Hull FC as he looks for regular playing and the chance to try a new life from hometown club Newcastle Knights.

Moving to these shores with him were teammate Sauaso ‘Jesse’ Sue and assistant Knight Willie Peters, albeit with Hull Kingston Rovers. The first will add presence to the team, while the second is Tony Smith’s long-term successor as head coach east of the city.

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It added spice to what Hoy knew well as the fierce, burning rivalry between the two Hull clubs.

“When the first article about a potential move, Willie called me and I think the first thing he said was ‘are you going to be my enemy?”,’ Hoy said.

“I know the Hull Derby is a pretty big game between two teams and every day it comes down to the decision he’s going to go ‘are you my enemy? Have you been my enemy?’.

“Jesse Sue is a different person, he’s saying ‘are you going to be my neighbor?’, so that obviously helps me to have people there that I know.

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A look back at what Hull FC fans can expect from rookie Tex Hoy during the 2023 Betfred Super League season.

“They are the opposing team, but outside of football, they are still my teammates and it would still be nice to have people there that I know.”

Even though he is moving from one coastal city to another, it will still be something of a change of pace for Hoy. For starters, the East Yorkshire coast barely goes unnoticed as a surfing spot like back home, where his father Matt honed the skills that have made him the second surfer. 5 in the world in his own sports career.

Not only will Peters and Sue’s presence help him adjust to his new surroundings, but also the fact that, like Newcastle, rugby league is deeply ingrained in the city’s culture.

“You go to your local supermarket and you’ve got fans there – I think you’ve got fans everywhere you go,” Hoy said.

“They stick with you from thick to thin; a few years ago the Knights had a couple of wooden spoons and they’re probably still in the top 5 of the biggest teams in the NRL.

“I think they are the greatest fans in NRL; they are always there, they are always supporting you, and they are big critics because they love their team and their town. When you hear Newcastle chant, it’s probably one of the most motivating and gives you a second wind pretty quickly.

“I’ve heard it quite similar to Hull as well as with their loud roars and fervor for their team, and I have a similar feeling to what it was like back at Newcastle.”

Being the son of a famous athlete wasn’t Hoy’s only touch with the Novocastrian sports royal as he grew up, with two of the city’s icons – and indeed, the rugby league. of Australia is a friend of the family.

Hoy’s mother is best friends with Matty Johns’ wife, with whom he will spend the summer training with. By extension, he got to know Matty’s brother and one of the Australian rugby league immortals, Andrew Johns – who was also a friend of his father and is now a Knights coaching consultant.

“He might give you advice like ‘this is how you kick one foot like this’ and ‘if you want the ball to curve that way, you kick like this,'” Hoy said of learning from Matty. .

“It’s the same with Andrew; he’s the Immortal known for his kicking ability and being able to kick the ball however he wants.

“He’s now part of the club at Newcastle, he always has an opinion and he’s just a good coach in general – one of the brightest heads I know. You just have to sit there and pick his brain and when he speaks, you just have to listen because you know he’s going to give you the best advice he can.

Rugby great Andrew Johns has been a big part of Tex Hoy’s life on and off the field.

“My younger years they were just there to teach me the little things and now I’m in the top class at Newcastle, Joey [Andrew Johns] try to take your next step. “

Hoy, capable of playing at full-back or at half-back, will stay with Newcastle until the end of the current NRL season, but has already enjoyed the next chapter of his life at Hull, where he follows the aftermath. Castleford Tigers winger Jake Trueman. in signing Blacks and Whites in 2023.

The advice of another Knights coach on former Hull FC backing Mark O’Meley also helped in his decision to move to MKM Stadium and it’s not just the competitive aspect that Hoy hopes to enjoy. profit.

“You get to the age where you just know everything around your town and there’s not a lot of pressure on you,” says Hoy.

Former Hull FC supporter Mark O’Meley gave Tex Hoy advice before he signed for Blacks and Whites

“Things like that made me decide to get out of my comfort zone and start a new chapter and learn new things without getting stoned by friends and family.

“I just want to grow as a person and play consistently every week at a high level.”

Watch Hull FC vs Castleford Tigers at MKM Stadium during the Betfred Super League on Friday from 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports Arena (8pm opening).