MOTU Tony is confident he can add something Hull FC have lacked in the past after being confirmed as the club's new football manager. Having been around the club for the past two months, Tony was officially unveiled yesterday alongside Lee Radford as part of the new set-up.
Taking on the recruitment responsibilities previously overseen by Shaun McRae, Tony will also deal with day to day matters involving the squad away from Radford's remit as head coach.
Having never left the city despite moving clubs, Tony says his new role is a position he's relishing.
"It's great to be back at Hull. I have a lot of affinity for this club," Tony told the Mail.
"I'd like to think some of the things I bring to the table are some of the things the club lacked. I'm just happy to be here to make things easier for Lee and the rest of the coaching staff, while also helping people in the office.
"Lee, myself and the rest of the coaching staff have to set a culture for this club going forward. We have to show that if you are not prepared to work hard then this is probably not the place for you to be at.
"We have to set that standard from the off and there's tough decisions to make. We have to get the environment right for everyone. If you get the culture right, regardless of players coming and going you can maintain your position, as Wigan have shown. That's the standard we are aiming for."
Having already brought Iafeta Paleaaesina to the club, Tony is now busy working behind the scenes on at least two more additions, with Bath winger Tom Biggs still a target.
And with the World Cup on the horizon, the ex-Kiwi Test player with Samoan heritage is confident of utilising his contacts to try and find a hidden gem.
"I think it is an advantage for us as a club that myself, Lee and Andy all have vast contacts in the game. If we pull them all together I think we are in a good position," added Tony.
"We will be watching the World Cup games with an eye on finding a hidden gem."
