Aidan Sezer hoping his ‘renewed motivation' will help Hull continue progress
Revitalised Aidan Sezer says he is ready to lead Hull up the Betfred Super League table as the buoyant Black and Whites prepare to host wounded champions Wigan at the MKM Stadium on Friday night.
The former Leeds half-back, who left Headingley after two seasons in 2023 and rediscovered his motivation levels in a short stint with NRL side Wests Tigers, starred in his new side's eye-catching opening win at Catalans Dragons last week.
And the 33-year-old Australian says he is relishing the opportunity presented by his quick return, with Hull's bid to wipe clean the memory of a dismal 2024 campaign set for another serious test against a Wigan side smarting from their season-opening defeat to Leigh.
'I didn't know what to expect when I left 18 months ago but I went home and got back to playing the footy I know I still have in me,' Sezer told the PA news agency.
'I'm obviously rejuvenated from going back home, and I've got myself back in the shape I needed to be in. I've come back with renewed motivation, and I'm really happy to be at a club where there have been a lot of changes, with a new administration and a massive ambition to do well.'
Sezer was the catalyst of Hull's first win in Perpignan since 2019, weighing in with two assists for tries by Jordan Lane and Tom Briscoe as his side confounded expectations to run out 24-4 winners.
New head coach John Cartwright hailed Sezer in the wake of the Perpignan win, but swiftly turned his attention to the prospect of taking on Matt Peet's men, who were part of Super League's first scoreless draw in normal time.
'They (Wigan) make winning a habit, and only good teams can do that,' he said.
'They've got great history, great culture, they're going to be really tough to beat. But if we get our game right, we feel we can compete with anyone.'
The hosts' chances will be hit by a mounting injury list which sees Jed Cartwright, Amir Bourouh, Oliver Holmes and Zak Hardaker all ruled out of the game.
But John Cartwright hopes their opening win in France – which has already left many pundits swiftly recalibrating their pre-season predictions, can serve as a blueprint for even bigger tests that are to come.
'We certainly weren't favourites to go down there, we were away from home in a big and hostile environment, and not many pundits gave us a chance,' he added.
'I think the thing that pleased me the most is that we've got a lot of improvement in us. They started strong and kept coming forward, and while you've got that, your footy is going to keep improving, and you're going to keep winning games.'
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