It’s fair to say the signing of King Vuniyayawa has been met with a mixed response from Hull FC supporters. Vuniyayawa has joined the club from Salford Red Devils on a short-term loan deal until the end of the season, with the Black and Whites announcing the move earlier today.
The prop looks set to make his debut this Saturday against Wigan Warriors and he’ll be keen to make an impact as Simon Grix’s side look for just their third win of the campaign. The Fijian arrives at the MKM Stadium with plenty of experience having spent three and a half years playing regularly in Super League, joining Leeds Rhinos in 2021 before moving on to Salford for the start of the 2022 campaign.
He joins a Hull side that has struggled for size, strength and depth through the middle and with performances improving over the last month or two, Grix will be hoping the signing of Vuniyayawa can help them rack up a few more wins on the board over the final 10 games of the season.
However, some supporters were left underwhelmed by the addition, with fans responding to the club’s announcement on X.
“I’m glad somebody is pleased,” one social media user said in reference to the wording used by the club. “”Pleased”,” another supporter scoffed.
One fan added with just a touch of sarcasm: “Gargantuan signing.” While another simply said: “Christ.”
The social media reaction wasn’t all negative, though, with some underlining the need to be realistic in terms of recruitment at this stage of the season. While others optimistically pointed to what Vuniyayawa could add to Hull’s pack.
“Yeah I’m comfortable with it for the last 10 games, give us a big body. Had it been longer term then I wouldn’t be happy,” one person said.
Someone else wrote on X: “What you have to look at is what is available at this point in the season, done well to get him in really, people need to be realistic and what players want to come to a team that cannot win games, I can’t see their being a big queue!”
“I think some “supporters” just want to have a big name signing that realistically isn’t going to happen at this time of the season. I agree it’s another body we need for now If Ese [Heman Ese’ese] gets injured then what,” another fan said.
Vuniyayawa will wear the number 50 shirt at the MKM Stadium and with Hull currently sitting second bottom in the Super League table, he’ll be keen to make an immediate positive impact.
