It’s only Round Two of Super League but Hull FC are already seeing their squad stretched with an injury crisis worsened by suspension issues.
FC lost the opening game of Super League to rivals Hull KR with Tony Smith’s side nilled at home against the Robins for the second year in a row.
Thankfully this time around it was only 22-0 and not 40-0 but the game came at a cost with Ligi Sao, Franklin Pele and Herman Ese’ese all now suspended for Friday night’s game against Warringon Wolves.
Suspensions aren’t the only problem for Hull FC with Tony Smith having confirmed the injury crisis that the club are in with 13 first-team squad members unavailable to face Sam Burgess’ Warrington Wolves.
That means the club have ten injuries alongside their three suspended forwards, the Black and Whites are already stretched thin following an unfortunate run of luck with injuries.
Tony Smith confirms injury crisis at Hull FC
Head coach Tony Smith provided an update on the fitness of his squad at the pre-match presser and he told HullFC.com about the latest two to be added to the long list of injured players.
“It’s a grade three hamstring injury for Joe (Cator) – it’s a significant tear. He’ll be out for eight to ten weeks, but doesnt need surgery,” Smith explained.
“It’s unfortunate for Joe who has been injury free for a while now and been in good shape.”
“Cam (Scott) also has a problem with his calf muscle and needs a minor operation to relieve some of the blood flow around his calf, so we’ve lost him. He could be missing for up to four weeks.”
The club will also be without captain Danny Houghton after the veteran hooker failed a HIA after the derby, the 39th that he has played in during the Super League era.
Unfortunately for both Houghton and Hull FC the protocols around head injuries mean that he will miss two games on account of it being his second head injury within a year.
Smith provided an update: “He has seen the specialist today and ticked all the boxes, he feels fine. He was okay after the game too, but the new rules state that he’ll miss out.”
The clash last Thursday started badly with Liam Sutcliffe having to withdraw in the warmup due to illness but he could be back for Friday’s game.
One man who won’t be back is former captain Carlos Tuimavave, Smith explained: “Carlos won’t be available this week with his calf issue. Without pushing things for him, he’ll be back for Round Three or Round Four.”
Brad Fash and Liam Tindall also remain out, whilst long-term absentees Jake Trueman and Mitieli Vilikijapani are two more names that won’t be available.
Hull FC forwards learn disciplinary fate
As well as that long list of injuries there is also Herman Ese’ese, Franklin Pele and Ligi Sao out through suspension.
Thankfully for Hull FC the club saw Sao win his appeal and therefore see his ban reduced from three games to just one after he had made contact with the head of Matt Parcell.
Ese’ese didn’t win his appeal and will miss two games as a result whilst Pele controversially had had his ban set at just three games, one below the sentencing guidelines.
As such fans have reacted to the news with shock, particularly given the four-game ban handed to Castleford’s Liam Watts for a non-maalicious tackle.
By contrast, Pele had thrown a huge swinging arm at Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella which he then seemed to follow up with punches.
Regardless the Operational Rules Tribunal set his ban at three games so he will be back in time for the derby but he will obviously miss Friday night with FC now without 13 first-team players for the clash.
