Jordan Rapana prediction made as John Cartwright makes Hull FC recruitment call

John Cartwright has singled out the key Jordan Rapana qualities that will stand out at Hull FC. One of four new quota signings at the Black and Whites, the 35-year-old has been branded the 'ultimate competitor' with the club landing the signing amid interest from his NRL club Canberra Raiders.

The Green Machine, coached by Ricky Stuart, made no secret of their offer to Rapana, but it was only one year. Meanwhile, Hull offered two, and that was that.

And for Cartwright, who handed Rapana his NRL debut back at the Gold Coast Titans, it's not just a quality player Hull will be getting, but one whose influence also rubs on others, with the young players in particular having the perfect role model to learn from.

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"Jordan was still playing first grade at the Raiders and probably one of their favourites," Cartwright said on Rapana. "I’m very close with Ricky Stuart, and they were very keen to keep him there for a year.

"They’ve got some good young talent there. They thought a year was long enough. He wanted two years. And the competitor that Jordan is, I’m sure at the end of two years he’ll want another two years."

He continued: "When he runs onto that field, he just wants to win. I think that’s invaluable with the young squad that we have. As I said, they don’t just go out there and play. They bring these young fellas along, and they make them better players."

Hull have also signed Aidan Sezer for 2025, another player Cartwright has worked with before at the Titans. The half-back also played with Rapana at the Raiders for several years.

"Having lost Jake Trueman, I felt we needed a half-back who is going to give us experience and direction with a good kicking game," Cartwright explained. "Aidan has a really good year at the Tigers; they have heavily invested in halves, but he was their first choice every week when he was available.

"A fair bit of work has gone into who we have signed, and I think we've done pretty well. It was a bit later in the year, and a lot of other clubs had already done their recruiting.

"There's been a big turnover of players as well, but on the back of last year, we definitely had to add. I think it's been really important to add some hard heads, not only to teach the young ones who to play, but how to behave, how to be a man, and how to be a good clubmate."

Running with over 30 players, Cartwright is looking to get competition out of his squad, with places up for grabs. He added: "I just want 30 healthy players like every coach. Competition for places is essential for any side, no matter where you finish the year.

"If we can go into this pre-season, we'll have around 36 players, six young guys, and the experience they'll get will be invaluable, and then 30 players going hammer and tongs for spots, and if we can do that and come out healthy, we're going to have a competitive side to start the season."

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