Asiata went down with an injury scare in the second half.
19:24, 14 Mar 2026Updated 19:25, 14 Mar 2026
Hull FC loose-forward John Asiata.(Image: SW PIX)
John Asiata was in the wars again for Hull FC against Leigh Leopards, finishing the game despite a major injury scare to his leg in the second half.
Asiata was first hit after passing the ball in a Hull attacking set, and limped away from the challenge. He stayed on and around a minute later took a carry before going down in visible discomfort in what looked like a nasty and awkward, even unnatural, landing.
In fact, you could hear Asiata’s scream from the Leigh press box, with Hull’s loose forward receiving some treatment on the field before finishing the game.
Seemingly, Asiata’s persistent to finish the game brought an end to any scare of an injury issue, with John Cartwright conceding that the club will monitor the player – who played his third game following six months out with a hamstring issue – as he cools down from the heat of battle.
“He copped a few whacks,” Cartwright told Hull Live post-match. “He was able to carry on but it certainly slowed him down.
“When you twist a joint, sometimes you think the worst – you get that instant pain. It was one that wasn’t too major. He was warm when it happened, we’ll have to wait for it to cool down and see how he is but he’s a warrior is Johnny. He’ll battle on.”
Asiata played the full first half and stayed on into the second half before being replaced by Brad Fash. Hull’s captain then came back on shortly after, getting through over an hour of playing time against the Leythers.
“He just hasn’t had a lot of footy,” Cartwright continued. “This is his third game back. He needs a bit of time for match fitness. We have given him rest at different stages. Today was the most that he’s played.
“He was a bit wounded, but we’ve got an eight day turnaround, and I don’t think there’s anything major there. I think we’re okay.”
Cartwright also confirmed no injuries were picked up at Leigh elsewhere, with the side – without Herman Ese’ese, Jed Cartwright, Joe Batchelor, Will Pryce, and Harvey Barron – not seeing anyone back in the near future.
He added: “We’ve got nothing coming back in the short term, but I think we’re okay.”