Hull skipper Gareth Ellis believes knockout rugby has brought the best out of them this season.
A win at Huddersfield Giants in tomorrow’s do-or-die play-off clash would put them within 80 minutes of a Super League Grand Final appearance, and the chance to make up for their Challenge Cup final defeat to Wigan last month.
Hull travel to Huddersfield after securing a hard-fought 14-4 home win over Catalan on Friday.
And having beaten Warrington at the John Smith’s Stadium in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup less than two months ago, Ellis is relishing this latest knockout battle.
“We’ve taken points from everybody above us on the table this year barring Huddersfield and we pushed them close both times,” said Ellis.
“So that shows the potential is there and hopefully we’ll have another good crack at them tomorrow.
“The reality is sixth was probably where we deserved to finish on the table after some of our ups and downs this season.
“But we’re confident now having proven we can beat the top teams, and that we can do something in these play-offs.
“It’s do-or-die now and while we won’t be the first team to win from outside the top four, we could be the first to win from sixth.”
