Former Hull FC and Castleford Tigers forward joins new club ahead of 2024

Doncaster have confirmed the signing of former Hull FC and Castleford Tigers forward Ilikaya Mafi after a successful trial period with the club.

Mafi started out his playing career in rugby union, but switched to rugby league early on beginning to make a name for himself during his younger years living down south.

He was picked up by Hull FC after moving up north where he progressed through their youth ranks, representing the Airlie Birds at the academy and reserves level in 2022 before moving on to Castleford Tigers for 2023.

The prop has been on trial with the Dons since the beginning of pre-season and after impressing the coaching staff has landed a contract for the 2024 season.

Head coach Richard Horne said, “Ilikaya has shown what he can do throughout pre-season, he’s still young and learning the game and we are looking to help aid his development. We’re really pleased to bring him in to the squad where he’s settled in with the lads really easily.”

The Dons new boy said, “I’m thrilled to join Doncaster, I’m excited about the opportunity it presents. The familiar faces like Suaia Matagi and Alex Sutcliffe eased my transition into the club. I am also happy to have proved myself during trials and earning a contract with the coaches.”

Mafi’s old team lose to familiar faces at Hull FC

Head coach Richard Horne handed non-competitive debuts to some of the Dons’ big-name signings, such as England international Reece Lyne, former FC man Craig Hall, and enforcer Pauli Pauli.

The Dons started on the front foot, forcing an error from Herman Ese’se in Hull’s opening set. However, a mistake from winger Tom Halliday gave FC good field possession. Ligi Sao found an offload to Joe Cator, who dived under the sticks to give the Super League side the lead. The Airlie Birds were in for another moments later, Tex Hoy showing some classy footwork to beat the Dons’ defence and go over for their second.

It would be 18-0 to Tony Smith’s men before the 10-minute mark; Nu Brown spotted a gap in the Dons’ outside-backs, putting the foot on the gas before finding Liam Tindall, who raced away 30m. Not the start Richard Horne’s outfit would have wanted, still blowing away the pre-season cobwebs.

The home side clicked into gear after allowing three quick-fire tries. New signing Alex Sutcliffe went close to scoring but lost possession over the line after some enterprising play led by Connor Robinson and Ben Johnston. That resilience would finally pay off when skipper Sam Smeaton hit a good line from Johnson, getting the hosts their first points of the afternoon. Robinson, on kicking duties, landed his first try with the boot. 6-18 after the first quarter.

After an early flurry of tries, the hosts gradually grew into the contest, going toe-to-toe with the Super League side. With interchanges flowing from both coaches, Hull would add a fourth, Tindall bagging his brace. Doncaster would also have a man less for 10 minutes after Halliday was shown a yellow card for an altercation during the try.

Not letting their numerical disadvantage get the better of them, the hosts would add their second thanks to Luke Briscoe. An earlier error from Tex Hoy after the restart put Horne’s men in an excellent attacking position. Johnson again with the assist, with the two sides heading into the sheds after a pulsating 40 minutes of pre-season action.

Still trying out new combinations and plays, both sides were guilty of starting the second half a little scrappy. With the wind intensifying by the second, both sets of halfbacks tried to grab the momentum with their kicking game. Still, it was a nice pair of hands from Nu Brown and Jack Walker that saw Hull score the first points of the second half. Former Hull KR fullback Walker broke through the Dons middle unit, before he found Morgan Smith on the inside, who scored a walk-in under the posts.

As tired bodies began to show, FC’s new middle enforcer, Franklin Pele, got in on the act, burrowing his way over after taking a simple crash ball on the bump. However, in an almost carbon copy of Pele’s effort, Doncaster’s juggernaut forward, Pauli Pauli, capped his first game for the club with a great solo try, charging onto a drop-off and bringing the scoreline to 18-36 after Robinson’s 100% record with the tee continued.

As the game entered its final stages, FC’s young guns started to appear in drips and drabs. Jack Brown showed great strength to hand Hull another try as their tally amassed 40. However, it was the Dons who had the final say, Pauli Pauli once again showing the strength to force his way over from close range. The game would end on a negative note, with FC man Jordan Lane leaving the field on a stretcher, with 24-42 as the final score, with lessons learned for both sides.

Up next for Doncaster is a trip to Midlands Hurricanes in the first group game of the 1895 cup, with Hull FC set for a week off before welcoming Super League champions Wigan Warriors to the MKM Stadium for Scott Taylor’s testimonial.