A green shoot in John Asiata, but concerns elsewhere. Hull have work to do.
Hull FC loose-forward John Asiata.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC were defeated 14-10 by Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night. Here, Hull Live looks at some talking points.
Asiata is everything
Not to state the obvious, but John Asiata is absolutely crucial to Hull FC’s fortunes this season. Making his first start of the year after an interchange appearance against York Knights last week, the loose forward’s influence on the side’s attacking shape is massive. So crisp in the middle, Asiata’s link proved to be crucial in Hull’s tries, with the player biting right into the line, putting doubt into the opposition, and executing to effect with Aidan Sezer and co. for Lewis Martin to score. Asiata is also a genuine running threat and was one of just two forwards – the other being Yusuf Aydin – to top 100 metres on the night.
Undergoing some big surgery in the off-season, Hull will continue to manage their most important player early on this season, with his minutes potentially increasing at Leigh next week. But precaution is very much the word right now and it’s totally understandable.
Hull need Asiata fit and firing every week if they are to turn their ambitions this year into any sort of reality. It’s absolutely crucial, as is his link-up with James Bell, who made his club debut and played the 30 minutes or so either side of Asiata’s two stints. A dynamic to keep an eye on as the year unfolds.
Aydin proving his worth
And while we’re on the positives, Yusuf Aydin – in a pack that didn’t fire collectively in West Yorkshire – was very good again. The forward ran for 106 metres and defended tough as always. He’s certainly added a bit more venom to his carries this year after a big off-season and deserves his spot in the side. The same goes for Arthur Romano, who has had a solid start to his Hull career, and Lewis Martin, who went up a level after a tough start to the season with a hip complaint.
The bad
Now for the not-so-good bits… Ultimately, Hull have time to improve this season and the message from John Cartwright is not one of panic, but the reality is they were second best once more and deservedly beaten, with work to do to turn their fortunes around.
Playing the game on the back foot again, Hull were dominated in the second half in terms of field position. Wakefield constantly pinned Hull in the corners and the visitors couldn’t break that cycle, struggling to get the necessary territory to create opportunities and claw themselves back into the game.
And after what was a positive start, it’s all the more frustrating. Hull were good value for a 10-4 lead and they should have taken that lead into half-time. However, they gifted Wakefield points just before the break through crucial errors and from then on in it was one-way traffic.
The lack of ability to turn the screw in the second half was a concern, with Hull starting sets on their own goal line again and again and struggling to make ground. They continued to hang on defensively and they scrambled hard – and while that effort was a plaudit and kept them in the game – the lack of go forward was equally concerning.
In all honesty, Hull have looked off the pace so far this year, jaded, and pedestrian. To change that, they need to start getting a foothold in games through a strong defensive, running, and kicking game and keep hold of it for longer periods. They need to sustain pressure, build their attack, and cut out poor discipline and errors that are being punished on the scoreboard at the other end. There’s so much improvement in them and it has to come sooner rather than later, regardless of the infancy of the season. But they need to get on an even keel before they do anything else. They can’t continue to play this momentum-based sport on the back foot.
Will the full-back spot change?
Hull’s big conundrum now is the full-back spot, with John Cartwright conceding that he will weigh things up and make a big call for Saturday’s cup tie at Leigh. Davy Litten has played the last two games there following Will Pryce’s ACL injury, but Logan Moy and Lloyd Kemp are also options, as is Zak Hardaker.
There’s been some good in Litten’s game, exemplified by his running totals, try saving tackles, energy, and the bombs he has taken, but there’s also been some big errors under the high ball that have led to opposition points.
There’s a big call to make here. Will Hull be better served having their long-term centre in the centre spot and Hardaker at full-back? Time will tell. But one way or another Litten will rise again in the black and white. Of that, there is no doubt. Now’s not the time to be getting on his back.
Recruitment realities
The big question now is what Hull will bring in, or what they can bring in. They have scope to sign new players with the expected salary cap dispensation after Will Pryce’s season-ending ACL injury and the quota spot from Liam Knight’s release. There’s also Jed Cartwright’s situation to consider – with the back rower ruled out for another lengthy spell with a hamstring injury.
Outlaying their stance, Hull aren’t rushing into decisions and will look to recruit based on the areas they feel they need to strengthen most and what’s available. But whether that’s a new full-back or a forward, or perhaps both, the reality is it’s a tough time to recruit with clubs reluctant to send players on so early in the season.
A big factor is also Hull’s cap for 2027. For instance, Pryce will be the full-back next year and that presents a complication when recruiting a replacement for this season, which has to arrive on a one-year deal. It’s not a simple situation and may require some time and patience but there’s no denying Hull’s need for some additional quality – and someone who can provide that bit of X-factor. A gamebreaker, if you will. He’s out there somewhere – and it’s Hull’s job to first find him and then get him integrated into the team. A big few weeks await.