Hull FC, like Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Hull KR have completed some impressive business for the 2024 Super League season especially from the NRL.
Their pack is being reinforced by the arrival of Herman Ese’ese, the nephew of Super League Ali Lauiti’iti, and Franklin Pele.
The duo are massive signings whilst halfback Jake Clifford has been replaced by former Featherstone Rovers hooker and New Zealand international Fa’amanu Brown. A bold move.
Many felt that was the end of their business but the Black and Whites are set to add one more signing and are interested in signing an outside back to add further depth to their ranks.
Adam Pearson is showing ambition and said to the club’s website: “Obviously, it’s been a difficult season to say the least. We knew it was going to be a transitionary season and that’s the way it’s felt within the club, obviously it’s shown on performances.
“We had a middle part of the season where we all started to get a little bit excited because we put some very good results together, particularly when we beat St Helens down here, but in the end, I think it was a squad that’s in transition and that showed right at the end in the last few games.
“Obviously the surgery to the squad is being undertaken now and it is quite radical. Again we’re in sort of second transfer window as you would like to call it or the second recruitment period and we hope to good squad at the end of it.
“Tony’s trying to build a team of his own culture and his own identity. Certainly we wanted a younger team, we definitely wanted a bigger team. We felt from 2017, where we had the largest pack in Super League, we’ve probably become the smallest.
“I think we’ve made six or seven signings so far, there’s nine to come in in total. All the forwards that we’ve brought in are 6’2″, 6’3”, 6’4″powerhouses who can play a bit and we hope to start to be able to dominate other teams again in the Super League. So that was a definite strategic identity aim.