Round and round the Rivalries

Out of the six Rivals Round games taking place across this Easter Weekend, there’s a certain someone who has, remarkably, played in five out of the six fixtures at some point throughout his career.

Any guesses who?

He has ten major honours to his name having won trophies at every Super League club he has represented and was the 2015 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel in the treble-winning season for Leeds Rhinos…

Viva Zak Hardaker!

Hardaker has been playing rugby league professionally for sixteen years – and is arguably one of most experienced and decorated playmakers in the game. He has well over 350 career appearances to his name, having made his debut for Featherstone Rovers back in 2010.

He has since spent time with Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers, Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards, whilst enjoying a short stint with NRL side Penrith Panthers in 2016 – and has also represented England on numerous occasions.

Fast forward to present day, and the now 33-year-old is happy at Hull FC, as he embarks on a new challenge in John Cartwright’s side – hoping that he can provide valuable experience for youngsters coming through and help Hull restore pride and success.

And ahead of Rivals Round, the Black & Whites are sitting pretty in second spot, having won five of their first seven Super League matches.

The club has well and truly revived in 2025, and a heroic Hardaker is playing a pivotal role:

“It’s all smiles at the moment. From last year’s results for Hull to now, it’s totally different,” Hardaker said.

“It’s been a really good start for us. We’re doing the things that we spoke about in pre-season – working hard and trying to make the club proud again and the fans excited. We have that willingness to turn up for each other week in and week out and then the fans have reacted right on the back of that and have been turning up in numbers.

“I knew my role when I joined, and I knew I was going to one of the senior figures to help out with the quality of youngsters that the club already had.

“It’s our duty as the older lads and I’d like to think we’ve brought that into training and in to the games as well.

“Aidan Sezer has been one of our best players, Herman [Ese’ese] is having an absolutely terrific year and Jordan Rapana has been ripping it up. The lads who have been brought in have really stepped up and I think we’re leading the way to help the young lads. Then, off the back of that, you’ve got our wingers Harvey [Barron] and Lewis [Martin] who have been exceptional and so have some of the other boys coming through.

“It was important for us to set the standards high, and the boys have risen to it. Hopefully we’ll keep going and keep raising the bar.”

The Easter Weekend has been a famous tradition in rugby league for many years, and Hardaker admitted it’s always been an occasion he looks out for in the sport’s schedule:

“I’ve enjoyed Rivals Round and the Easter Weekend over the years – especially the Hull Derby this year,” Hardaker said, who featured in his first Hull Derby just a fortnight ago, as his side drew inner-city rivals Hull KR in the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter finals.

And two teams are set to meet again this Good Friday at MKM Stadium.

“A lot was made of it before I came to the club and when I signed everyone was asking me if I was looking forward to the games against Hull KR.

“The atmosphere in that Challenge Cup match was absolutely electric – so if that is the taste of what is to come, then I can't wait. It was next level, and the game on Good Friday should be absolutely fantastic.”

Having played in multiple teams, Hardaker says it’s always been easy to adopt a team’s rivalry.

“I’m all in for the rivalries – whatever club I’m at. I want to do the best for the club and my teammates at that time and I know how much the rivalries mean to each set of fans and how important it is.

“I’m fully on board with it and I like to do the best for the club that I’m at.

“Again, with the Hull Derby – I know how much rivalry there has been over the years - families are split and it is absolute madness. Some of the lads at training are in a family of five or six and they play for Hull FC and their dad is a Hull KR fan. They don’t talk to each other in the lead up to a game, which is barmy!”

And when his unintentional yet impressive Rivals Round feat was revealed to him, Hardaker responded with…

“I’ve been about a bit, haven’t I?” he chuckled. “I was never going to stay at one club anyway – I like to get about a bit and experience different clubs, different setups and coaching styles – I’ve spent time over in Australia as well.

“I’ve really enjoyed my career, it’s been absolutely fantastic, and I think personally if someone said do you want to play just one rival game your entire career or four, five or six, I’d definitely pick four, five or six!

“I'm really happy with what I've done and having experienced the Hull Derby, I’d say that’s definitely up there.”

Shall we take a quick look at the upcoming Rivals Round fixtures that Hardaker has previously played in?

Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants

Hardaker played in a total of ten Super League derbies against Huddersfield between 2011 and 2016, but there’s one game in particular that springs to mind…

“Over those years, Huddersfield were a bit of a bogey team for Leeds – it was the Danny Brough era!” Hardaker said.

 “I just remember having to catch his bombs that seemed to be in the clouds for at least 15-20 seconds!

“There’s been some really good fixtures against Huddersfield, but the one I’ll have to say is when Ryan Hall scored in the last few seconds and the helicopter had to turn around with the League Leaders’ Shield in 2015.”

Who could ever forget that one, Zak?!

Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers

Hardaker featured for Castleford three times against Wakefield Trinity, where the Tigers, in their Daryl Powell era, won all three meetings comfortably.

In August 2017, Hardaker scored two tries in the third rendition of the Calder Derby that year, as Cas went on to lift their first ever League Leaders’ Shield in front of their nearest and dearest…ouch!

The two sides are set to renew their rivalry this Thursday night – for the first time since 2023.

“Wakefield v Castleford was a bit of a vicious one with the two teams being on each other’s doorstep.

“At the time Cas were flying high and going really well and we just kept turning teams over.

“We lifted the League Leaders’ Shield in front of Wakefield as well – that Castleford side was on fire!”

Wigan Warriors v St Helens

Hardaker then spent time with Wigan Warriors between 2019 and 2021 and got to experience one of the biggest derbies going – Wigan v St Helens!

He faced Saints seven times in the Cherry & White but could only manage to muster up one win during that time period.

This did come at The Brick Community Stadium, however, where this year’s hotly anticipated Rivals Round fixture will be staged.

He also appeared in the Wigan side that went up against St Helens in the 2020 Grand Final – where rivalries don’t get much fiercer than that!

“A lot of people say that Wigan v St Helens is one of the biggest derbies, don’t they? And I can’t lie, it is massive, especially the Good Friday one.

“I think I played in a few at Wigan’s stadium, and it was packed every time. Plus, it was great weather on Good Friday and was always a great atmosphere.

“Unfortunately for me, I think I got beat in most of them! But it’s another rivalry that’s really close to home – they are bitter rivals and have family members from both sets of teams.

“It was a great game to play in and great to be involved in, for sure.”

Leigh Leopards v Warrington Wolves

This Saturday will see Leigh and Warrington go head-to-head in Rivals Round for the first time – and Hardaker has played in four of those matches – two being as recently as 2024.

The Leopards clinched a pulsating 16-12 home victory last year, but will history repeat itself this Easter Weekend?

“There is definitely some rivalry between Leigh and Warrington. A couple of years back one of the games got particularly feisty, so I think the fans have created something out of that.

“I know when I was there, there was definitely a rivalry among the players and every time we played Warrington, we always got a big feel for it.

“It’s definitely a rivalry and I had a great few years at Leigh.”

Hull FC v Hull KR

And now Hardaker excitedly looks ahead to another Hull Derby – his first one in Super League and his first in the famous Good Friday game.

“I've been fortunate to play in some big games across my career – finals, semi-finals and internationals, but that Hull Derby was absolutely electric.

“The noise was exactly like what you’d expect in a semi-final or a final, but it was just that little bit more personal because we [Hull] were at home and there were over 17,000 fans inside.

“The noise beats any game that I've been in for, for sure – and the rivalry is way more personal than any other games I've been involved in.

“I'm really looking forward to that one on Friday next week and then I'm equally looking forward to being at Hull KR later on in the year.

“Both sets of fans were singing all the way through in the quarters. Even though it was a disappointing result for us, the atmosphere never died.

“After ten minutes, you couldn’t breathe just because of the atmosphere and how big of an occasion it was.

“All the boys said straight after that game…that we can’t wait for Good Friday.”

As Hull Derby 248 approaches, Hardaker no longer takes these opportunities for granted:

“The older you get, these moments come around shorter and shorter. You just got to sit back and take it in. Your finals, semi-finals and Rivals Rounds don’t come around very often when you’re my age, so I’m really fortunate because Hull get another shot in The Derby this week.

“Hopefully we can go one better and get the win!”

And the question we just simply had to ask the current Hull man…is the Hull Derby the biggest Derby in rugby league?

“I think it is [the biggest derby] – but I’ll probably get some chatter from some fans saying no, it's not!

“I reckon the second one is  definitely Wigan v St Helens. I just feel like the animosity between the Hull fans is a lot more – Hull is one city after all – but everyone will say the same about their teams, won’t they?!”

Zak Hardaker shows no sides of slowing down any time soon, but what does the future hold for the Super League sensation?

“I just want to be happy; I always play well when I'm happy.

“I'm really enjoying my role at Hull FC and giving 110% when I’m out there. I’d like to be able to try and leave something for the players who come after me. It’s all about leaving the club in a better place.

“I just want to enjoy my rugby, see Hull go well on the league ladder and then buckle down and go again next year!”

Are you ready for Rivals Round?

Good Friday will see Hull FC host Hull KR in their iconic Good Friday derby, as Rivals Round (Round 8) takes place live on Sky Sports.

All six games across Rivals Round will be broadcasted LIVE and information regarding dates, venues and kick-off times can be found here.

There's still time to sign up to SuperLeague+ if you haven't already, with match passes, monthly passes and annual passes all available.