JAY Pitts is looking forward to bumping into former team-mate Brett Delaney as he insisted: "We want to be facing Super League players every week next year."
Pitts played with Delaney for Leeds and the forward rivals will clash when Hunslet visit Odsal tomorrow.
Aussie star Delaney, rated as one of the best back-rowers in the top flight, has joined Barry Eaton's side on dual-registration as he continues his rehabilitation from off-season knee surgery.
The Hawks have named six Rhinos players in their squad for this weekend's game, as well as ex-Bradford duo George Flanagan and Vinny Finigan.
The inclusion of Delaney, who will make his first appearance of 2015, should give Pitts and his team-mates plenty to think about – but the in-form 25-year-old is up for the challenge.
Pitts said: "I know Brett quite well. He's a good player and a good lad too. I got on well with him at Leeds and it will be good to see him again.
"He's a quality back-rower who works hard and I'll have to be on my game against him, whether it's me or whoever else facing him.
"Super League is where we want to be next year anyway, so Brett Delaney is the kind of name we're going to have to come up against.
"There are a lot of young Leeds kids there as well, so it will be no easy game. We just have to take care of ourselves and nothing changes for us. We're a team and it's not down to any individuals."
Pitts has enjoyed a fine start to the season and was instrumental in last week's demolition of Featherstone.
He has not been far off playing the full 80 minutes in all three games and is usually the last back-rower to be given a breather. It says much for his impact on the team and fitness levels.
Pitts explained: "I'm enjoying myself, that's the main thing. I think if you're enjoying your rugby then your form takes cares of itself.
"The more minutes I can play the better really because I like playing rugby and that's all I want to do.
"If I've not played the full 80 then I've only been a couple of minutes off and I'll play as long as I can. I like being able to play decent minutes and hopefully I'll be able to keep doing that for the team."
Pitts made an immediate impact at Odsal when joining on loan from Hull FC last April. Despite the Bulls' relegation, he enjoyed his rugby and is doing so again this term.
He said: "I like the tackling side and the creative side with my passes. People get into rugby for the love of the game and I'm no different.
"That's what I'm trying to do, whether it's defending or creating things with an offload. Hopefully that will benefit the team."
Head coach Jimmy Lowes has dropped Chris Ulugia from the team for tomorrow's game and replaced him with Danny Williams, who is available again after a one-match ban.
Dan Fleming and Adam Henry are also in the 19-man squad and could make their first appearances of the season.
Pitts said: "Hopefully we have made giants steps and can keep going forward and playing well.
"Last week at Featherstone was a big step defensively and we were very solid under a lot of pressure, especially early on. We handled it pretty well and there is still quite a lot of improvement in us.
"You're looking for perfection every week and we'll keep working as hard as we can to achieve that. We'll definitely be on our game this week and trying to progress further."
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