John Cartwright's Hull FC selection dilemmas including potential new signings
Hull FC are gearing up for their pre-season clash at Castleford Tigers and then competitive action next month, with John Cartwright set to get the first look at his first-team players in a game situation.
Currently in their second block of pre-season training, Hull are fine tuning their plays and moves ahead of Joe Westerman’s testimonial match, with a key focus on how they shape up, but also their rugby league fundamentals, with players keen to work hard for each other and show grit, spirit, and the like in a bid to restore pride to the club once again.
That all creates with it competition, with Cartwright working with 29 official senior players to date, not to mention an Elite Talent Group, with the scope for more signings in Deon Cross and Marc Sneyd, who the club are keen to acquire. It also creates selection dilemma’s, and while there will already be an idea of what the side will look like, there will still be some final calls to make depending on what happens and who impresses over the next month. Here, Hull Live assesses a few options.
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Half-back nod
Jordan Abdull’s departure from the club opens up a half-back vacancy with Cade Cust currently the front runner to partner club captain Aidan Sezer. By all accounts, Cust has trained well this pre-season and at this stage, looks set to get the nod, potentially opening up a spot for Denive Balmforth to share the hooker role with Amir Bourouh. Elsewhere, Callum Kemp is also an option with Jack Charles gunning to feature.
Wingers; three into two
Hull have Harvey Barron, Tom Briscoe, and Lewis Martin all on the books this season, with Jordan Rapana, signed predominately to play full-back, also an option. There is some serious competition here, with Castleford a huge opportunity for all to stake their claim.
There’s plenty of options for Cartwright, who could go with both young wingers and Rapana at full-back, with Briscoe perhaps playing in the centre again. Alternatively, Rapana can line up on the wing, again changing the dynamic of the team and opening up an opportunity elsewhere. Hull Live understands all of these combinations have been tested in training over the last two months, with Cartwright, who is expected to have one or two selection tricks up his sleeve, smartly exploring all possibilities and scenarios.
Magic Moy
We’ve spoken to a lot of people at Hull FC this pre-season and one name keeps getting mentioned: Logan Moy. The young full-back has put on his desired weight this winter and at just 19 years of age, he has, by all accounts killed it in training. With so much energy and with a growing skill set, he’s certainly one to watch out for, perhaps even forcing his way into the picture for round one and beyond.
Pack punch
Hull FC acquired Hugo Salabio from Huddersfield last month to add depth and competition to their pack. With Herman Ese’ese, Ligi Sao, Yusuf Aydin, Jack Ashworth, and Brad Fash to go at, not to mention John Asiata, Jed Cartwright, Jordan Lane, and Oliver Holmes, it’ll be interested to see who starts, who comes off the bench, and who is paired with who. There’s also Will Gardiner and Matty Laidlaw in the fold, with teenager Cobie Wainhouse also pushing hard.
Dynamics of potential new signings
If Hull acquire Sneyd and Cross from Salford, then things could change again. Cross, you’d imagine, would compete straight for a centre spot, which could impact the wing choices, with Sneyd slotting in alongside Sezer, which changes the dynamic again with Cust. However, both talents instantly improve the squad with Hull, who have been watching Salford’s situation unfold over the last month, still chasing deals for both players.
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