Catalans Dragons star Jordan Abdull maintains he has no point to prove on his Hull KR return but expects to come under fire.
The one-time England stand-off faces his parent club for the first time since his surprise season-long move to Perpignan. Rovers boss Willie Peters has run with Tyrone May at number six this term who, ironically, came in from Catalans in the off-season. Kicking master Abdull, who played 60 games for the Robins over two spells, has shown glimpses of his best with the Dragons.
But he has agreed to rejoin Hull FC on a three-year deal in 2025 which might rile some of the home faithful when he steps out at Craven Park on Saturday evening. Abdull admitted: “I am expecting hostility. I know I spent a long time at Hull KR and had some great times there.
“I would like to think that I had a significant impact on Rovers’ rebirth and helped them become the current top-four team. But I know roughly what I’m going to get because I’m signing with Hull FC for the upcoming season! Everything is enjoyable. At the end of the day, this is just a rugby match. I have a job to do there.
The 28-year-old, who was most recently capped by England in 2021 because to some outstanding Robins play, has recently witnessed an unexpected turn in his career. “I don’t think I have a point to prove,” he insisted. My injuries over the last 18 months at KR have been difficult.
However, I like to think that I was instrumental in KR’s success long before that. Regaining my playing form and putting myself on stage a bit more than I have in some of my concerts this year would be wonderful. Returning home evokes a range of feelings, the main one being excitement.
“During my time at KR, I tried all in my power to improve both the team and myself as a player. Removing my prejudiced glasses, I would argue that I contributed significantly to what we accomplished under Tony Smith and during my brief involvement with Willie [Peters]. However, as a point to make, it’s most likely more
Sixth-placed Catalans ended a three-game losing run by beating Huddersfield last time out. They worked through the international break in readiness for a trip to opponents who have flown near the top all year.
Abdull explained: “We were in training quite a lot. We mirrored the French national team training so we played the game on the Saturday, had a get-together on the Sunday as a team, then had Monday and Tuesday off the same as the French national team. Then, from Wednesday, the France team was in camp and Tom Johnstone was with England, and the rest of Catalans were all training.
“So we’ve been preparing for this game since last Wednesday. We made the decision a few weeks ago. As a group we understood we probably weren’t in a position to have the extended break off. We probably needed to train, stay around each other and sort some of the issues out that had been happening on the field. The only way you can do that is by spending time on the training field and that’s what we’ve done.”
The Grand Finalists from the previous season lost their way and then bounced back against Huddersfield, winning 22–18. When asked how essential it is that they are now winning streaking, Abdull said, “It’s very important.” We’ve had a difficult few months, and during the past two or three seasons, we’ve undoubtedly underperformed by Catalan standards.
Even in the victory over Huddersfield, we played excellently for forty minutes and led by two goals before reverting to our previous form and habits, which almost cost us. The fact that we were able to emerge victorious from that situation was crucial for the team’s confidence.
“We’re playing against another in Hull KR. I’m excited about the prospect and I get to do it against technically my employers and my former club and some of my old mates and the fans who were a big part of my career for the last four or five years. But we need to be taking points off them and catch up as at the minute we’re not where we want to be in that table. The only way we can get there is by beating the sides around us.”
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