The irony of Jack Walker’s WhatsApp contact image is not lost on Hull FC’s new signing.
It shows him in Leeds Rhinos colours embracing Hull KR’s Danny McGuire after a match in 2019. This hasn’t just been added since a certain derby game on Sunday has it…? Then, of course, Walker won man-of-the-match when dramatically helping defeat the Robins 34-38 on his FC debut at Newcastle's Magic Weekend.
It was also Rhinos legend McGuire’s first game in caretaker charge of KR after replacing the sacked Tony Smith. For a moment there, it looked like he might get a famous win. Walker, 22, laughs at the prospect of changing his profile image for this reason.
The truth is far different; it’s been there for a while. He said: "Maggsy’s had a big impact on my career. I played with him in ‘17 and against him after he left Rhinos. I think that pic is after his last-ever game at Headingley.
“I knew he was retiring at the end of that year so I just asked to get a photo with him: the legend Danny Mags. I know he’ll do a job for Rovers. I’ve no doubt about that. With anything, he’s always done a job. He shook my hand and said ‘well played’ on Sunday when I walked past him. But we didn’t really have much of a conversation!”
McGuire’s final campaign of a brilliant Rhinos career that spanned 17 seasons, 416 appearances, 267 tries and countless trophies, coincided with Walker’s maiden one. Indeed, he was just 17 years-old when playing in McGuire’s last Leeds game: the 2017 Grand Final win over Castleford. Walker, Leeds born-and-bred and clearly gifted, was supposed to go on and become a mainstay of the next Rhinos generation.
But sport is rarely that simple. Cruelly dogged by a serious and complicated foot injury that wiped out almost two years of his blossoming career, Walker returned this campaign only to be struck down by a hamstring issue. Upon his next return, he not only had Richie Myler vying for the No1 role at Leeds but also England star Zak Hardaker who rejoined the club in April.
It is little wonder he accepted Hull’s offer to join them on loan until the end of the season. And what a start he enjoyed. Walker was exceptional in a patched-up Hull side that boasted three debutant loanees and two more teenagers making their bow off the bench. The way the England Knights international linked in attack, it looked like he’d been playing for the Black and Whites all his career.
Walker admitted: “It was an amazing atmosphere, the Hull derby and I didn’t really expect it to be that good to be fair. It was probably, besides the Grand Final, one of the best atmospheres I’ve been involved in in my career. I just really enjoyed it. I knew a few of the players already. I’d obviously played with Luke Gale before and I’d played with Brad Fash, too.
“I had three training sessions before and just tried getting on the same page. But we had a rough gameplan and I went off on my own thing and just played what I saw. And it worked!”
Walker is signed with Leeds until the end of 2023 but Hull have the option to take him on board next season. Their full-back Jake Connor is currently out injured while deputy Jamie Shaul was dropped to make way for Walker who clearly took his chance. Hodgson has said if Walker can stay in form, he’ll keep the No1 role and Connor will shift to the halves alongside Gale when he returns.
The player says Leeds boss Rohan Smith has not given him any indication about his long-term plans for him. Much could depend on whether Hardaker re-signs with Rhinos for 2023 but Walker said: “He (Smith) has not said anything (long-term). When I found out I was going to Hull, he said Hull were keen to get me for the rest of the year and he couldn’t promise me game-time here.
“It was tough to hear at first. I’ve always been Leeds - grown up in Leeds, played for Leeds and I’ve never been out of that environment. It was tough to take. But after the week at Hull and getting to know the lads and the coaching staff, they’ve all made me really welcome. They’re a good set of lads to be around and I’ve enjoyed it.”
That was plain to see when he emerged from the St James’ Park pitch with the player of the match medal draped around his neck and a beaming smile. He said: “I loved it out there. It’s just about staying on the field for me. That’s my main problem.
“If I can stay on the field, performances like that will come. I just have to make sure I stay on top of my rehab and work really closely with the physios. They’re in contact with the Rhinos physios as well so are keeping a close eye on me and making sure I stay on the field.”
And Walker, who was always lightweight when emerging as a talented teenager at Headingley, revealed he has had altered his approach in terms of physical size. He said: “In the first half of the season when I played for Leeds, I was well built. I was up to about 85 kilos and pretty strong. But I feel like the game has changed since when I came through at 17 years old.
“You need to be more fit and fast now, rather than a big full-back. Look at Jai Field and Bevan French. They set the benchmark. They’re not the biggest fellas but they create the biggest impacts on the field because they’re so fast, have the agility and are so fit. I feel the modern game now is all about fitness and speed. I lost a few kilos and made sure I got fitter. I definitely felt better in that game at the weekend.
“I remember coming back after a long time out before and was absolutely shattered but, on Sunday, after ten weeks out, I came back in and felt fresh after half-time. There was only one period in the game when I was struggling and that was when we were down to 12 men but other than that I felt good and put myself about. I’ve worked on my fitness a lot and it’s paid off.”
Something which should also reap dividends is working with Hodgson, the highly-decorated former Australian full-back who played State of Origin with New South Wales, won Man of Steel during his playing days with Huddersfield Giants and also claimed the Lance Todd Trophy at Warrington. Walker enthused: “One hundred per cent he can help me.
“He’s already given me tips - on the first day I got there - which helped me out massively. Probably the biggest struggle in my game is playing out the back in the three v twos. That’s where I lack the most in attack. He says he’s got a few more tips to give me which we’ll pick up as the weeks go on and I’m excited to crack on with that.”
Walker hopes to back-up his impressive debut when Hull - whose second-row Manu Ma'u has confirmed a two-year deal with Catalans from 2023 - head to Wigan on Friday. On his future, he said: “I just take it week by week. At this time I’m with Hull and I’ll try to do my best for them. And then at the end of the season we’ll see what happens, whether Leeds want to keep me or send me away to Hull or wherever.
“My main focus is just finishing the season injury-free and playing well. I’m sick of being on the sidelines. It’s mentally draining especially when it’s always a short span of games, injury, games, injury. It is frustrating. I just want to get a string of games together.”
After his rotten luck, few will begrudge him that. Whether in blue and amber or black and white.
