Hull FC boss delivers Jordan Rapana and Herman Ese’ese injury updates

Hull FC head coach John Cartwright is confident that Jordan Rapana will be fit to play at Magic Weekend on Sunday. The Black and Whites take on Huddersfield Giants at St James’ Park and they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways after falling short last time out against Wigan Warriors.

The availability of Rapana would come as a big boost then, with the versatile back currently struggling with the groin injury he picked up in Rivals Round against Hull KR last month. Cartwright has revealed that the New Zealand international has trained this week, though, and all being well, he could well be involved against the Giants.

“Jordan Rapana trained today but very lightly,” Cartwright said in his pre-match press conference. “So we’ve had a good turnaround and he was off last week anyway.

“It’s baby steps with him, we’ll train Saturday and he’s looking likely. He’s a pro, he knows his body and he’s pretty confident he’ll be OK.”

The head coach couldn’t say for certain one way or the other whether Herman Ese’ese will be involved, though. The powerful prop picked up a sternum injury last weekend and Cartwright will give him all the time he needs to prove his fitness.

“It’s a pain thing and anyone who has had a bruised sternum will know how painful it is,” he said. “It’s whether he can play with the pain, there’s no worry about him long term and we’ve got a week off after this week so we’ll give him every chance.

“He’s had a little bit of contact but he’ll have to do a bit of full contact on Saturday before we can pass him fit.”

Hull FC injury room clearing out

Hull have a number of injury issues at present, with back-rowers Jed Cartwright, Ollie Holmes and Jordan Lane ruled out, while Brad Fash and Liam Watts are out, too. It seems there’s light at the end of the tunnel there, though, with the Hull boss optimistic the above names won’t miss too much more action.

“We’re hopeful that everyone out injured will be available within four to six weeks,” he added. “We’ve got a couple of weekends off in that time as well so and not too many games.

“We’ve got a few games in between now and then and the rollercoaster of footy, you never know what’s going to happen. If we can get a few of those back-rowers back, it would free us up to get back to having people in the right positions.”