Hull FC’s Jordan Rapana hopes to leave Hull KR ‘scruff’ in derby despair
JORDAN Rapana hopes to feel the sweet smell of derby success after defeating a ‘scruff’ – after he and Peta Hiku shared plenty of treats.
The pair were room-mates when they played together for New Zealand. Today, they will be on opposite sides of the great Hull divide.
And the Hull FC full back or centre revealed how a sweet tooth meant having to tidy up after his Hull KR pal was overcome.
“He’s a scruff,” Rapana said about Hiku from the days when they shared a room. “But he loves snacks and chocolates, so we got along just fine
“Peta’s a good fella. Just not when we’re playing each other on derby day. We won’t be friends.”
Rapana and Hull FC have been the surprise hit of the season. After finishing second bottom of Super League last year, win today and they will go top.
And there is the small matter of Rovers’ 32-16 Challenge Cup quarter final win just two weeks ago to avenge.
But having both clubs at the top has brought a new fervour to the East Yorkshire city, one the 35-year-old can sense in an accent he understands after prior practice.
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Rapana added: “I’m loving life, off the field is awesome. We love it and we’re all settled in and on the field, obviously, the results are showing.
“I don’t think anyone expected us to be where we are. Second in the table, I don’t think anyone expected that.
“And I’m already used to the Hull accent. I played alongside Josh Hodgson for a number of years at Canberra, so I was already prepared for that.
“I had years of trying to work out what he was saying, so he helped prepare me.
“Now today will be a battle to see who can take that number one spot but we were very much off the pace last time in the Challenge Cup.
“It’s back to the drawing board for us and we’re expecting a much better performance.”