Hull FC prop Herman Ese'ese has warned his teammates not to fall into a trap of overconfidence ahead of Saturday's Super League Magic Weekend clash against cross-city rivals Hull KR at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The forward stressed the need for focus despite recent contrasting results, with Hull FC coming off a competitive loss to Wigan while Hull KR suffered a heavy defeat at Leeds.
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Intense Rivalry
Ese'ese, who made his derby debut in February 2024, described the atmosphere as unlike anything he had experienced in his career.
"It's probably more intense than a State of Origin," he said.
He recalled the noise and the sea of black and white at MKM Stadium, comparing the occasion to a grand final.
"It was just loud and black and white everywhere. No empty seats, it was full on," he added.
The fixture carries extra significance as Hull FC aims to end a seven-game losing streak against Hull KR spanning nearly three years.
Focus on Discipline
Despite external chatter favoring Hull FC due to Hull KR's player absences, Ese'ese dismissed any assumptions of an easy match.
"Everyone's saying that maybe we have a good chance, but we can't let that get to our heads," he said.
He urged his teammates to prioritize physical discipline and high completion rates. "We've just got to focus on the task ahead and be in the moment.
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