'Something to think about' Simon Grix delivers Denive Balmforth verdict after hooker stars in Hull FC win

Simon Grix believes Denive Balmforth has given the hierarchy at Hull FC 'something to think about' after his performance against Leeds Rhinos. The 20-year-old hooker played an influential role off the bench, with Grix leading his plaudits post-match.

Making his third Super League appearance of the season and his seventh in total, Balmforth scored one of Hull's three tries in Saturday's 18-10 victory over the Rhinos, with the dummy-half also having a big say in the third try after providing Hull with the field position to get their first.

However, Grix, as per his comments in a recent press conference, says the test for Balmforth is to nail the bits in between his 'moments,' with the interim coach suggesting that the player at least gave an improved account on those fronts.

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Of course, Balmforth, who joined Hull from Warrington Wolves in 2022, is out of contract at the end of the current season, with a big decision still to be made. And while the player, through his own admission, still has a way to go, this was, at the least, a sign of encouragement for the Leeds-born young gun, who is determined to prove himself and make his mark at this club.

"Everyone has got a big rap on Denive, and rightly so for some of the moments he has in games," Grix told Hull Live post-match. "His try—not many people can get that. He's good in that area. He has a couple of sharp runs and passes out of dummy-half.

"The challenge for Denive is everything when he hasn't got the ball in is hands. Danny Houghton is the benchmark for line speed in our team, even at the age he is, leading the line, tying in, and all of those bits that you don't really get attention for.

"Fans in general see moments, and I think those bits in between are way more important than moments. Denive has been told that. He knows he needs to improve in those areas.

"He did okay in his game for Swinton against Featherstone, and then with Danny dropping out, the least change as possible was to get Denive in. We had a bit of a chat about that during the week. He's out of contract, and we're halfway through the season. We said, 'Here's your opportunity,' and I think he certainly gave us something to think about."

Entering the field in the first-half, Balmforth came on just before the half hour mark, getting over 60 minutes of Super League action under his belt. For Grix, the plan was to get him on early, with Morgan Smith starting the game in the dummy-half spot.

"We wanted to get Denive on the field rather than him sitting nervous on the bench waiting for his opportunity," Grix explained. "I thought he did really well, and in those moments when we needed him to (the bits without the ball), he found energy and hung on.

"There were a couple of loose passes in and amongst it, but Morgs had that as well with the wet weather out there, but Denive came up with some good plays. That will give him a bit of confidence, and us confidence in giving him more of a look."

Read more: Simon Grix praises Hull FC's 'persistence and hard work' after pressure relieving victory