Rapana announced his end of season retirement last month.
Hull FC back Jordan Rapana. (Image: SW PIX)
Jordan Rapana believes that Hull FC are heading in the right direction under John Cartwright and hasn’t ruled out the club getting their hands on silverware in the years to come.
The Kiwi full-back played the final game of his professional career earlier this month and has now hung the boots up for good after a stellar stint in the game, playing over 200 games for Canberra Raiders in the NRL before joining the Black and Whites.
Signing a two-year deal, Rapana last month instead opted to retire after one season at Hull and, in an emotional speech at Hull’s Player of the Year awards on Monday, outlined the reasons why.
The 35-year-old said: “I’m very proud. That’s something I’ve taken pride in in my career, being that player who the boys want to play alongside. That was a big reason for me choosing to hang the boots up a year early.
“I didn’t want to get to next year and the body can’t hold up or do what I’ve done for the majority of my career. It was a tough decision, but I know it was the right decision as well.
“I’ve had some injuries this year and there’s a lot more to life than football. I’m a father now and a husband, and I want to be around for years to come and enjoy making memories with my kids, but as tough as it is, I know it’s the right decision.”
And on his season at Hull, Rapana continued: “My time was only short here but I’ve made some friends for life. I’m so grateful that I made the decision to come here.
“The club is heading in the right direction and that’s another reason why I’m sad to hang the boots up, as I truly believe that there is silverware here at this club and not being a part of that is what makes me sad, but Carty said to me, ‘I left the Raiders and they finished league leaders,’ so who knows?”
Given his first shot as a player at Gold Coast Titans by Cartwright in 2008, Rapana fittingly finished his career 17 years later under the same coach.
Spotted while playing against a New Zealand rep team, Cartwright insisted that Titans officials go and sign Rapana, and as they say, the rest is history.
“To start my career with Carty and ultimately finish with him, it’s very special,” Rapana added. “He’s a wonderful coach and he’s a coach that players want to play for. I’ve been around the game for long enough and that’s the biggest accolade to a successful coach.
“Good on him. I just wish him and all my teammates the very best next year. I truly believe that they have the squad and the playing group to go out and do some damage. I wish them the best of luck and I’m going to miss them.”