More quality needed, recruitment reality, controversy, and injuries – a look at some Hull FC talking points.
05:00, 04 Apr 2026Updated 14:31, 04 Apr 2026
Hull FC loose-forward John Asiata. (Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Hull FC suffered another derby defeat to Hull KR on Good Friday. The result was their seventh successive loss in this fixture, with the Airlie Birds second best to the Robins once again.
In truth, a 24-6 win flattered Rovers, but there can be no arguments they were deserved winners. Here, we digest what went wrong, analyse the controversial moments, and look at where the Black and Whites go next after another costly day on the injury front.
Effort and grit are there but Hull need more quality
Hull had plenty of effort and grit in their performance but ultimately it was some familiar ball control and discipline issues that held them back – especially at the start. Under the cosh, they had no right to be in the game in the second half, but they were, and that’s testament to their resolve. They are built of much sterner stuff now. They hang in there, and that was the case once again. Hull had it all against them early on, but they weathered the storm and only trailed by four points at half-time.
They could have easily led in the second half through Lewis Martin’s disallowed try, too, and if John Asiata had stayed on the field, then who knows what may have happened? It’s all ifs and buts and maybe’s now, but regardless, Hull’s effort, grit, and resilience are streets ahead of what they were two years ago – and it gives them a chance in every game they play.
The DNA of the team is night and day from what it was. Hull just don’t go away now and they have the ability to stick in games. They have desire and determination, but as stated by their head coach, that only gets you so far. What they need now is quality. Hull just didn’t have enough quality at Rovers. They didn’t build enough pressure and they didn’t cause Rovers enough problems. There are no qualms with the result on that front. Hull showed plenty of spirit, but it’s finding that next level of skill, shape, and execution that remains their ongoing challenge.
Does that quality need to come from recruitment?
In a nutshell, yes. Hull still have some big players on the field but there’s a reality that if they want to achieve something this year, then they need to recruit. Of course, they are active in the recruitment market; they have been active for several weeks now following a gutting season-ending injury to Will Pryce and exit of Liam Knight, and they have a quota spot and cap space to make a move(s), but they have been reluctant to rush in so far.
There’s no panic and Hull have been keeping their powder dry, but what other clubs – Castleford Tigers, St Helens, and Huddersfield Giants, just to name three – have shown us is there are options out there.
Hull are looking at the full-back spot and they’re also looking at prop. They need to recruit, and given Logan Moy and Zak Hardaker are two viable full-back options, and given John Asiata is now expected to be out for a while at the least, with James Bell set to move to loose man, its the pack (prop and back row) that arguably needs the most attention – and especially given the injuries to Yusuf Aydin, Jed Cartwright, and Herman Ese’ese as well. They can’t expect to run with that many troops out and essentially expect miracles.
Of course, the club are being cautious with how they operate under the new regime, and yes, there are many variables at play, but again, if they want to make something of this season, then they need to bring something in. If not, and given the rate the injury toll keeps rising, it could be a long summer, and after the progress made last year, that would be a real kick in the teeth. They need to act soon.
Martin’s overturned try
Lewis Martin thought he had levelled the scores at Craven Park. Sliding over after Davy Litten’s offload, the winger’s try was given by on-field official Aaron Moore before a pause in play as video referee Liam Rush looked to confirm the on-field decision. And then came the dreaded stop of the clock. We’re going upstairs. Another few minutes’ wait and several replays later, and Rush disallows the try.
Dubious, to say the least. If it goes up as a try, then the video referee needs to find clear evidence to prove it’s not a try, right? Was that the case here? Again, dubious. Or as Jon Wilkin put it: “an outrageous decision.”
In what ended up being a five-to-one try game, it’s not the reason Hull lost, but taking an age to come to a verdict and with no angles to prove clear separation and overturn the try seemed unjust. And it denied us all the setup to what could have been a much more frantic final quarter.
There was also a controversial moment involving Elliot Minchella in the first half, who seemed to catch Sam Lisone with a dangerous contact. Despite Lisone’s protests, nothing came of it.
Fresh injuries
Hull are still to learn the true cost of their derby defeat. They will get a more thorough prognosis on injuries for John Asiata, Joe Batchelor, and Arthur Romano in the coming days, but the early signs don’t look good – at least for Asiata and Romano.
Cartwright stated Asiata has a ‘pretty bad’ hamstring injury and given the issues he had last season, missing 13 of Hull’s 30 games, there’s no surprise to see some concern. There’s also a fear that Romano, one of the shining lights so far this year, has rolled his ankle pretty severely.
Batchelor’s hamstring isn’t thought to be too bad, but regardless, a week off now seems opportune. Hull are battered. They need time to recover and regroup before hosting St Helens on April 16. Fingers crossed they do just that with one or two players back in the mix and a new face among the ranks.