From Zimbabwe to Hull FC: Masimbaashe Matongo's 'dream' journey is just beginning

FROM Zimbabwe to Hull, Masimbaashe Matongo's journey has been long and compelling, but it is far from over.

The Hull FC youngster is about to embark on a season which could propel him into first-team reckoning and he knows exactly what he needs to do to succeed.

Matongo arrived in the city aged nine not a sportsman. In fact, he didn't even take up the game until the unusually late age of 15.

Hull Wyke were the first to benefit from his talents, before West Hull and the Norland Sharks first-team were graced with his presence.

Offered a trial by the Black and Whites, Matongo admits he was delighted to sign terms, with coach Lee Radford putting faith in the prop.

"I was just happy to get the trial myself when it all came about. When Radders told me he was impressed with me and wanted to keep me on I was over the moon," Matongo told the Mail.

"Making my debut last year was great and now I want to push on. I'm constantly making sure I'm listening to everything the coaches and senior players are saying and trying to take everything on board.

"In Super League the props are 120 or 130kgs, which is a lot more than I am at the moment. Getting my weight up is key to being able to tackle them and dominate them in the ruck.

"It's important I get my weight up but not fat, it's critical that I gain muscle. The stronger I get the more I will be able to control opponents in games."

Creating a strong culture amongst team-mates is critical to rugby league success. And the mateship the under-19s crop of 2015 had at Hull was special, epitomised by the outpouring of love for former FC academy member Brad Parker, who died on Sunday following a car crash.

Speaking before the tragic incident, Matongo explains he is glad to see so many of his 19s team-mates in the senior squad fighting for a first-team place.

Having known centre Jack Logan since he first came to Hull and gone to the same primary and secondary schools, Matongo was particularly pleased by his ascent and he wants to replicate Logan's run in the side.

"It's great to be challenging for the first team alongside a bunch of players I played with in the under-19s. Hopefully we can all push each other for a place in the team," Matongo continued.

"I'm good friends with all of them and I'm happy to see them competing, especially Jack Logan, who I've known since primary school when I came to Hull.

"I arrived in the city when I was nine and we were both at Hall Road primary school, before going to the same secondary school as well. He's done well for FC and I want to follow that example."

But before the 19-year-old can match the success of his good friend and team-mate, he must first impress Radford during arduous pre-season sessions.

Matongo admits training regularly with the senior squad is a 'massive' step up from practicing with the under-19s.

However, the brute enforcer knows there is no gain without pain, and he is ready and willing to continue the hard yards and learn his trade the tough way.

"Training so far has been a big challenge and the step up from the under-19s to the first team is massive," a determined Matongo explained.

"It has been great to get a feel for how the senior boys do things and how professional you have to be to make it. I'm enjoying it.

"The pre-season has been tough so far but you have to be willing to do the dirty work as a player. It's a mental and physical challenge but it's part and parcel of rugby league."