Hull FC injury concern as star man stretchered off vs Leeds Rhinos at Headingley

Hull FC were dealt a huge blow just 10 minutes into their Super League clash with Leeds Rhinos on Friday night. With the scores level, Jordan Rapana looked to pick up a head injury that left him needing to be stretchered off the Headingley field.

The centre took a blow to the head close to his own 30 metre line as he attempted to halt a Leeds attack. Rushing out the line in an attempt to jam Jake Connor, Rapana made contact before hitting the deck in a heap.

Play went on around him briefly but spotting Rapana’s head injury, referee Jack Smith brought a halt to the game. What followed was a delay of approximately just over 10 minutes as the New Zealand international received treatment on the field.

The Hull medical team moved quickly to bring out a stretcher and he was slowly lifted onto it before being carried across the pitch and down the tunnel. Tom Briscoe was the man to replace Rapana with Hull fortunately carrying an outside back on the bench.

Hull FC man Jordan Rapana stretchered off at Headingley

The game was Rapana’s 250th first grade outing as a player and given the facial injury that brought an end to his time at Canberra Raiders last season, there could well be some extra concern.

Head coach John Cartwright will be checking on the 35-year-old, of course, and he’ll be hoping the injury isn’t quite as bad as it looked.

Rapana has made 11 appearances for the Black and Whites so far this season with his only try coming in the 28-14 loss to Hull KR last month. He’s been one of Hull’s best under Cartwright and his versatility has been hugely valuable with Rapana playing at centre, wing and full-back so far.

More information is expected later tonight, with Cartwright to be asked about the injury after the game at Headingley.