MARK Minichiello says he's prepared to become an 80 minute player for Hull FC.
The 32-year-old rarely played the whole 80 minutes for the Gold Coast Titans in recent seasons, not through an inability, but because of the way coach John Cartwright wished to utilise the back-rower.
Arriving at Hull with a new approach, and having previously spoken of finding himself refreshed by the both the change of club and change in philosophies, Minichiello says he's more than willing to alter how he plays if it is for the good of the team.
"I wasn't playing 80 minutes week in and week out at the Titans because that wasn't the role they saw for me there," Minichiello told the Mail.
"I've not spoken to Lee (Radford) yet in terms of how he wants me to play in minutes, but I'm sure we'll have that conversation soon.
"I'm open to whatever he sees is best. It is about whatever is best for the team. If Lee wants me to play 80 minutes I can do that, if he wants me to play 60 minutes then that's fine too, whatever is best for the team suits me."
Minichiello is expected to play in the right second-row position, with captain Gareth Ellis returning to his more customary left-sided second-row spot.
The presence of the two vastly experienced forwards will be key for the Black and Whites next season, with Radford no doubt expecting big minutes from the pair.
But with the likes of Dean Hadley, Richard Whiting and Jordan Thompson at his disposal, Radford will be aware he has the strength in depth and the options to rotate his forwards.
