Nicklas, Danny

Danny NICKLAS [Player Stats]


+ Submit additional information or a correction to this player




Houghton full of praise for Nicklas
Wed February 8, 2012
Source: www.hullfc.com

Danny Houghton says he expects youngster Danny Nicklas to take a lot of confidence from yesterday's 20-20 draw with Warrington Wolves.

The 20-year-old stand-off made his first Super League appearance in the halves after close season signing Brett Seymour was ruled out with a minor knee injury.

Not looking out of place in a Hull side that ran in four tries against last year's league leaders, Houghton believes is was a good first step in Nicklas' development.

"It's always hard to come into the team and play in the halves as a youngster. There is a lot of pressure and expectation to handle in that position," said the England Knights hooker.

"But I thought Danny did really well. He was vocal and he showed a couple of really nice touches with the ball in hand and with his kicking game.

"He'll be a lot better for playing yesterday. He can take a lot of confidence from his performance against one of the best teams in the competition."

In a promising display in the opening round of Super League at the KC Stadium, Hull posted tries from Danny Tickle (2), Kirk Yeaman and Tom Briscoe as they opened up a four-point lead going into the final quarter.

Putting in a defensive effort full of passion and tenacity, the Black and Whites held out repeated attacking raids from last year's top scorers before the pressure eventually told for Rhys Evans to cross in the corner and tie the scores.

However, Peter Gentle believes his side can take a lot of positives from the game, not the least an exemplary performance from Houghton who was asked to play for the full 80 minutes in the absence of former New Zealand international Aaron Heremaia with a neck injury.

"I'm happy to put my hand up and play for a full game if it's what's best for the team. I know I can do that if needed and it was an option Peter wanted to take," said the Hull-born former Academy captain.

"I was reasonably happy with my performance. I put in a few nice kicks which is something I've been working on adding to my game, so I was pleased with that.

"Everybody in the squad will improve as the season progresses though and I'm no different. Yesterday was a decent starting point, but I'll be looking to get a lot better.

"Having Azza (Heremaia) back will certainly help. I think sharing the hooking role when he returns will bring out the best of both of us."

Full Match Replay: www.hullfclive.co.uk


Best training I've ever had says Hull FC's Nicklas
Thu December 15, 2011
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC's young half back Danny Nicklas says he's been enjoying some of his best training sessions since making the step up to the first-team in 2010.

The Black and Whites stand off, who was a regular in the club's U20's side until missing the entire season in 2011 with a knee injury, is back in the fold and raring to go ahead of the new campaign and is enjoy life in the new regime.

Having been left frustrated on the sidelines for the best part of last season, on the back of playing his first three senior games the year before, Nicklas is now lapping up life under new coach Peter Gentle and a new look conditioning team.

"It's great to be out there having a settled pre-season and knowing that the coach is keeping an eye on us all and seeing who is impressing and doing enough to get in the team," said the 20-year-old half back.

"It's probably been some of the best training I've had since being a full timer and I really feel part of the team this year.

"In the past there has been a little bit of a divide between the younger and older players and that was getting better, but this year it has been great and we all feel like we're part of one team.

"As a half back, knowing your part of a team and knowing your role and having relationships with the other players is key and that is really helping me."

Nicklas is one of a number of the younger lads to have caught the eye of Gentle since his arrival at the club and having trained alongside Brett Seymour and Richard Horne over the last three weeks he may well be handed the chance to impress.

With three games coming up against York, Hull KR and Bradford, Nicklas is likely to feature at some point and will need to use that opportunity to try and usurp his more experienced counterparts.

"Peter has said he is willing to give everyone a chance and with the way we have been training I'm hoping I'll get an opportunity," Nicklas commented.

"He has been switching Horney and Brett with me and Jamie [Ellis] quite a lot in training so it's up to us to take that chance when he's watching.

"When I'm training I'm always trying to make sure I'm ahead of the lads and leading the way when we're doing fitness or competitive bits, that's how I like to push myself and it's healthy competition in the squad. I think the other lads are probably the same.

"Both Brett and Horney are great players with plenty of games so it will be hard to replace them in the team and Jamie too was excellent last season with Leigh, but it's up to me to show I am also good enough to play at Super League level and take my chance."

====================================================================================================== 2012 Stobart Super League Hull Football Club 4 games; [View] Round 1 [05 Feb 12] D 20-20 v Warrington (H). [HB] [View] Round 3 [19 Feb 12] W 22-14 v London (H). [BE] [View] Round 4 [24 Feb 12] L 22-24 v Salford City (A). [BE] [View] Round 12 [22 Apr 12] L 12-56 v Wigan (H). [F8] ====================================================================================================== 2010 engage English Super League Hull Football Club 3 games; [View] Round 12 [23 Apr 10] W 12-8 v Wakefield (H). [BE] [View] Round 23 [23 Jul 10] L 0-46 v Wigan (H). [BE] [View] Round 24 [31 Jul 10] W 42-18 v Harlequins (A). [BE] ======================================================================================================

Advanced Search