Hughes first game of rugby league was for Britannia after they had switched codes enmasse along with the Pirates club based in Bluff. The match was played on 15 July 1908. They played again on the 19th and a 3rd match was played on the 22nd with Hughes scoring a try in a 21–17 loss. Hughes then played in two exhibition matches for the "Colours" team who in fact wore red against a side wearing black. He kicked a conversion in the first match won by his side 20–3, and scored a try and kicked a conversion in the second match which his team again won 31–24.