Hull FC forward Joe Cator discusses injury mistakes and coming back better than ever

The Hull FC forward is fully fit after rupturing his Achilles – but he has been here before.

Cator made his comeback from the same injury last March, only to suffer a reoccurrence an hour into the game against Leeds Rhinos at Headingley.

As he was helped from the field in a repeat of the previous August, his face spoke a thousand words.

Five rounds in, his 2022 season was over. After seven months' worth of blood, sweat and tears, he was back to square one.

A determined character, Cator quickly came to terms with the crushing blow and set about ensuring there was no repeat of his initial stint in rehab.

"Going back to the dark days, the first time I did it was just awful," the 24-year-old told The Yorkshire Post.

"The second time around the rehab went so smoothly. It was worlds apart.

"The second time was so easy. Obviously when it happened I couldn't believe it. There were a lot of sad days – a lot of crying and a lot of tears.

"We took more safety checks. I had a lot more MRI scans and also got a PRP injection. We did things differently.

"I know now from the second time doing it that there were a lot of times when it wasn't right first time around."

The warning signs were there but neither Cator nor the physio staff recognised them.

"We'd have a running session and it would swell up every time I ran," said Cator, who has been working with a new medical team at Hull in the latter stages of his latest recovery.

"I didn't know any different because I hadn't done it before. I was told to just get used to it and it would get better.

"I was still doing everything because there are things you need to hit for your return to play. I was hitting top speed and my Achilles was doing everything it needed to – but it was swelling when it shouldn't have been swelling.

"The surgeon the second time said I was the first person in his 25-year career to rerupture it.

"A few MRI scans might have prevented it. Me learning as well and taking a few more precautions.

"This second time, it's not swollen once.

"I bought all these ice packs and an ice machine but I haven't used them once."

Cator did not tread the long roads to recovery alone, with the nature of the injury taking him off his feet for six weeks at a time and placing a heavy burden on his partner.

He also found an unlikely ally in a player who bounced back from adversity to represent England and win four Super League Grand Finals with St Helens.

"Jonny Lomax reached out to me the second time," said Cator.

"He did the same thing but with his knee.

"He sent me a text saying he'd been through it before and even thought about retiring.

"He thought he'd give it one last go and look how good he is now."

A lionhearted and tireless middle, Cator had emerged as a pack leader for the Black and Whites before his first injury.

Rather than worry about whether he can get back to the form he showed in 2020 and 2021, Cator is challenging himself to reach new heights.

"I've got aspirations to be better than that," he said.

"I'm older now and more experienced. I'm not a young lad in this team anymore. There's a bit more expectancy when you hit a certain age to stand up and lead from the front.

"I don't see myself getting back to the same level; I see myself going up a level and getting better.

"I'm fresh and in a better place. I'm in a really good mind space.

"I feel like I've got a new lease of life being a rugby player again."

Cator is approaching a major milestone as Hull continue to build towards next Sunday's friendly against Sheffield Eagles.

There is no chance of the loose forward easing himself back in.

"I've done a full pre-season so the only confidence I need now is in my ability," said Cator.

"When I get into these friendlies, it won't be 'I want to get some confidence into my Achilles; I want some confidence in my skill and defence.

"Next week will be massive. You don't ever think that day will come. It's been so long that you can't see the end in sight.

"I'm sure after playing a few minutes against Sheffield that I'll be back to where I finished off."