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Hull FC boss John Cartwright provides Jordan Rapana clarity after surprise friendly decision

Hull FC Jordan Rapana

John Cartwright has confirmed that Jordan Rapana will likely start the Super League season as a centre at Hull FC. It’s not a position fans are too used to seeing Rapana play over his career, with the former New Zealand international splitting his time between wing and full-back for the most part.

Given he has been handed the number one jersey at the MKM Stadium ahead of the 2025 season, it seemed a fair assumption to make that he would play in the spine of Cartwright’s line-up. However, Rapana made his first ever appearance in a Hull shirt at centre on Saturday afternoon, with youngster Logan Moy getting the nod at full-back.

The new signing impressed in the clash against Castleford Tigers and managed to get over the line at Wheldon Road to score Hull’s first try in a 16-10 win before being withdrawn at the break.

Speaking after the game, Cartwright explained the centre decision, but he was quick to underline Rapana’s versatility and admitted that he could play elsewhere in the side once he has the required level of match fitness.

“He’s a class player,” Hull FC boss Cartwright told the media after Saturday’s clash. “He can play anywhere.

“He could play six if he had to, he can play wing, he can play full-back, he’d probably play in the second row if he had to. He’s natural and he’s got a lot of nous as far as football is concerned. He’s tough – he’s been around for a long time. He’s going to be a huge player for us.

“He could play in a different spot every week depending on injuries, suspensions, and all that sort of stuff. He had a limited time with us in the pre-season, he got over here late and he had a bad injury over there at the end of last season.

“He got over here late and he’s had a limited pre-season. Wing and full-back are pretty tough positions to play without the miles in your legs so at the moment, centre is the spot for him. As soon as he gets a few games under his belt, he could play full-back, wing or six if he needed to.”

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Johnny

    February 5, 2025 at 10:48 pm

    I still think that Zak harder is the best fb on the books and one of the best in super league last??

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