Hull FC interim coach Andy Last refused to speculate on reports linking the club with a move for NRL legend Daly Cherry-Evans, however, he also refused to quash them.
It was reported overnight in Australia that the Black and Whites had made a splash play to sign the former Australian international, who many had assumed would retire at the end of the year.
Instead, those reports pointed to Hull FC as making a big play for the half-back, reports that have set Super League fans alight with speculation.
That’s something that Last confirmed to BBC Radio Humberside that he wouldn’t indulge, even confirming that the reports surprised him.
Speaking at his Wednesday presser, he said: “It came as news to me today when obviously a few other lads came and said, ‘oh we’re signing Daly Cherry-Evans’.
“Obviously that’s just speculation. They’re conversations for obviously Richie and Steve.”
Asked what sort of impact a player of Cherry-Evans’ calibre could have on a team such as Hull FC, Last again responded: “It’s all speculation that, isn’t it? All if, buts and maybes. I’d rather not speculate on that.”
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‘Won’t be ruling it out’ – Hull FC boss on DCE move and possible cultural impact
The line of questioning did not end there though per reports from Hull Live, who shared more quotes from Last’s presser, more so on Cherry-Evans as a player, though he also didn’t deny any links.
Per Hull Live, Last drew comparisons to the impact that Stephen Kearney had at Hull FC, suggesting that was something that a player of Cherry-Evans’ status could emulate.
He said “I don’t think any club would turn their nose up at experienced players who can impact not only on the field but also the culture of the club. The player that always springs to mind for me is Stephen Kearney.”
Despite only spending the 2005 season with the Black and Whites, Kearney was viewed as influential culturally at the club, who would go on to win the 2006 Challenge Cup.
Last recalled: “He had one season with us but the impact he had on the culture, in terms of how you apply yourself to the game and to training and how he turned up and got himself mentally ready to play, was sensational.
“I know he had a big influence on Richard Horne and Paul Cooke, and that’s what senior players can do. They build a lasting legacy on the younger lads by being around them and showing them how to prepare for games and that type of stuff.”
Asked again if Cherry-Evans could be the man who does that for Hull FC, Last responded: “I won’t be ruling it out, but I’m not going to speculate on it either.”
