Fetuli Talanoa is a household name in one part of Hull.
After joining Hull FC in 2014 following 40 tries in 95 appearances for former side South Sydney Rabbitohs, the spirited winger became one of the Black and Whites’ most consistent performers in his five-and-a-half years at the club.
Talanoa was part of the Hull side that won back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2016 and 2017 before he stepped away from the game midway through 2019 after scoring 59 tries in 128 appearances.
It was injury that plagued his final year in East Yorkshire, with the New Zealander announcing his immediate retirement in April 2019 after succumbing to a wrist injury.
But, Talanoa has since revealed to Serious About Rugby League that, despite offers from other clubs, he chose to show his loyalty to a side that gave him ‘friends for life’.
“I always wanted to show my loyalty to Hull as they gave me the opportunity to do what I love again,” Talanoa said.
“Sticking by the club was always something I wanted to do and I can still call a number of those people that I met there as friends for life – it’s such a passionate place.
“On and off the field it was a completely different place from where I came from in Australia – the slang, the lingo and the foods all took a while to get used to and especially the accent.
“Having said that, it’s a place that is close to my heart.”
Though the 34-year-old has stepped away from rugby league as a player, Talanoa is still keen to share his experiences with the younger generations.
“I do a bit of mentoring and guiding down at my local club – for me it’s not the playing side anymore but it’s helping out young kids coming through wherever I can, whether it’s tips for the game or general life.
“I like to share my experiences with the kids coming through and try and help them out whether it’s in the weights room, training field or in life.”
