By Martin Morgan

Last updated 13:27, Thursday, 27 November 2008

New signing Mark Hobson cannot wait to link up with best pal Tommy Brindle on Sunday when Workington Town open their pre-season account against the Australian Fijians – six years after they last starred together in the amateur ranks.

Hobson recommended fellow packman Brindle, a former Wigan Warriors junior, to Town after the former Salford youngster moved to Derwent Park. But he believes Town were already tracking his former Leigh East team-mate at that stage.

“Tommy’s my best mate and I’m really looking forward to this game,” said Hobson. “He’s a good forward to have, with good skills, including an offload game, and pace and agility for his size.”

Hobson reckons all of Town’s new recruits will be keen to impress new boss Dave Rotheram at the first attempt.

“We’ve all trained well together and I’m buzzing about this game,” added the 21-year-old, who usually slots in at loose-forward but is also comfortable at hooker.

“Fitness will take its toll on us, but everyone will be out to prove a point. People take pride in this sort of game, and it’s going to be very serious.”

And he is sure the Town pack will see plenty of action against the Fijians, who will be forced in to a forward-inspired game by the heavy pitch.

“They’ll want to play with flair, but with the conditions underfoot, a lot of it will be played down the middle,” predicted Hobson, who has joined Town after four seasons at Salford, where he was player-of-the-year three times in their junior ranks.

“I wanted first-team rugby, and Workington seemed the place to get it.”