Hull FC boss makes NRL point about Leigh Leopards star and highlights ‘rare’ talent

Hull FC boss John Cartwright knows more than most about what Leigh Leopards centre Tesi Niu is capable of. The head coach was a member of Brisbane Broncos’ coaching team when Niu burst onto the scene in the NRL, with the outside back being tipped to have a huge future down under.

However, Niu’s career appeared to go stale at the Broncos and he was unable to reignite it fully at the Dolphins, who he made 24 appearances for over two seasons.

After making the move to Leigh in the off-season, though, Niu seems to be enjoying his rugby league once more and demonstrating just why he was so highly thought of in the NRL at one point. The Tonga international has scored nine tries in leopard print so far and given he’s bagged three in his last two games, he’s showing no signs of slowing down as the season gathers pace.

Cartwright has been impressed with what he’s seen from Niu and believes a change of scenery could have been pivotal for the centre, who he thinks could still cut it in the NRL. The Hull boss also knows he could be one of the key men to stop when his Black and Whites side take on Leigh on Thursday night.

“He’s been really good,” Cartwright said about the 23-year-old. “He was touted for a huge future over there and sometimes things just don’t work out for you.

“Sometimes you can just have a bad patch over there, lose your spot and there’s that much depth that someone comes in. I’m sure he’s more than capable of playing NRL but he’s come over here and done a great job.

“He’s very dangerous with the ball, out the back field and close to the line, he’s strong. They’ve picked up a good one there.

“He might have got a bit stale in Brisbane. You don’t have to do a lot wrong when you’re trying to break into the NRL to be put back to reserve grade. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. He’s come over here, he seems to be enjoying it and he’s playing great footy.

“He’s very well built, he’s a big solid lad and he’s got speed. He’s handled the jump over here really well.”

Hull FC boss hails Edwin Ipape impact

Hull played out an entertaining 22-22 draw with Leigh earlier in the season but Cartwright knows just how tough the task of going one better at the Leigh Sports Village will be.

“I watched the Wigan game, and they scored some really good tries,” the Black and Whites head coach said. “They’re a really dangerous side, and they’re very physical.

“They’ve got a real physical pack of forwards, and the hooker (Edwin Ipape) is rare – he’s a real game-changer with and without the ball. We did a reasonable job on him in the first game, but it’s just so hard to contain him for 80 minutes. He plays big minutes, and his effort doesn’t change from the first minute until the last minute. It’s going to be a real challenge to keep him quiet.”

A thing of beauty 😍

Edwin Ipape puts the Leopards into the lead before the break 🐆#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/LTqezEgLFI

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 19, 2025