Ahoy there: Tex hoping UK switch will reignite career

After playing arguably one of his best games in his short 25-game career against the Wests Tigers, Knights fullback Tex Hoy said he wants to emulate current assistant coach Blake Green in using a stint in Super League to springboard his career.

The 22-year-old ran for 165-metres on 20 carries, made two line-breaks and five tackle breaks in his sixth game in the No.1 jersey this year and the second since taking over from Kalyn Ponga for the remainder of the season.

Sure, Hoy overcalling his halves to score a classy individual try was the highlight.

But it was the little things in his game which points to his maturity.

The short side raids, counting numbers from the back and his defence on the line that resembled a more seasoned custodian. He also did well to hold his own against an aerial assault from the home team in the second half.

Hoy, who has signed with Hull FC in 2023, said he is hoping to follow in the path of Green who had a successful stint in the Super League - which included being named man-of-the-match in a Grand Final - before returning to the NRL as a more rounded player.

“I spoke to Greeny [Blake Green] before it all came out and got his thoughts on it and he said I would enjoy it and learn a lot,” Hoy told NRL.com.

“Greeny went over there and played heaps of big games and came back and killed it when he returned because of that experience.

"That’s pretty much one of the main reasons I am going over there is to play some footy every week and to get out of my comfort zone.

"I have lived in Newcastle my whole life and I thought it would be a good change to get out of my comfort zone and find myself as a player and a person.

“I’m not looking too far ahead," he said "I’m going over to Hull and want to put my best foot forward over there. In the back of my mind, I’m only young and by the time two years come up I’ll be 25 and that’s when you start hitting your prime years.”

Hoy said it was good to have Queensland fullback Ponga on hand to “tip him up” when he sees something in his game he needs to work on.

He said his main focus for the final month of the season was to help the club finish the year strong.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien said he was proud of the “fight” of his young team to get the win when the game was in the balance as they look to string together back-to-back wins for the first time this season next Saturday against the Broncos.