Hull FC head coach John Cartwright has talked through the selection struggles he has for Good Friday’s derby clash with Hull KR given the Black and Whites current lack of second-rowers.
Facing their old foes for the second time in a fortnight, Hull FC could be forced to be experimental in their second-row after losing the likes of Jordan Lane (broken arm) and Brad Fash (calf) against the Robins in that Challenge Cup tie.
FC lost that game but they bounced straight back with a win over Warrington, whereas Hull KR lost to Wigan, meaning Cartwright’s side can actually go top of Super League with a win on Friday.
It would be a monumental change in fortunes after their hapless 2024 when they won just three games all season, however, in order to win their first derby in the last five matches they’ll have to overcome some major injury issues.
How Hull FC will deal with injury crisis
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Denive Balmforth was the only returning player named to the 21-man squad, taking the place of Hugo Salabio who has left on a season-long loan in order to get gametime. However, Cartwright was keen to emphasise that the club can recall him at two weeks notice, something they might need if their pack problems continue.
The likes of Jordan Lane (arm) Jed Cartwright (hamstring), Oliver Holmes (knee), Brad Fash (calf) Will Gardiner (head) and Liam Watts (calf) all remain out meaning centres Zak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain look set to play in the pack, something Cartwright was asked about when speaking to BBC Radio Humberside.
He responded: “Yeah, it will probably have to be, with Jack Ashworth, those are probably the three obvious choices. Anyone else would be a real left fielder.
“It will be more of the same I would say, sort of through necessity than anything.”
Cartwright did accept that learning about his squad’s versatility was a silver lining amidst the doom and gloom of the injury crisis, explaining: “That’s a real bright note for us. Chambo’s played there a fair bit, but Zak, he’s only sort of had little bits and pieces there when injuries have hit through games at various clubs.
“I thought it was real positive what we would get from Zak. He’s a very smart footballer, very fit and very competitive. I was more than hopeful, I had a lot of confidence he’d get a job done. As I said earlier in the week, he was probably one of our better players on the day.”
What is Hull FC’s best spine?
John Cartwright has confirmed his 21-man squad ahead of the Good Friday Hull Derby at the MKM Stadium 📋
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There are also considerations to be made in respect to the club’s spine with the addition of Will Pryce creating a happy headache in the sense that there are too many stars to fit into one spine.
Having played in the halves on debut against Hull KR, Pryce shifted to full-back and shone against Warrington and Cartwright conceded that’s the likeliest route going forward.
On Pryce playing full-back, the Hull FC boss said: “Certainly at the moment, I think it helps us get our most dangerous team onto the field with Cade doing a good job for us throughout the season with Aidan in the halves. So Will at full-back, at the moment that’s where it suits us.
“I think Jordan Rapata is suited to the wing or centre. He’s filled in at full back, he’s filled in at five-eight but I think when all those boys are fit, that’s probably our best combination at the moment.”
He also didn’t discount Rapana moving into the pack, noting: “He might have to if anything else strikes, if that curse continues, but he’s the same, he wouldn’t change the way he plays, he’s a free spirit.
“It’s just good to have players that can play several positions, it just saves you having to put someone in there who’s just quite not ready I suppose, and good experienced heads across the field.”
Another key decision revolves around the bench and whether Hull opt for Logan Moy or Denive Balmforth, who was recalled to the squad after featuring for the reserves last week when recovering from injury.
On that selection headache, Cartwright said: “It’s just whether we think we need another nine on the bench or we just do what we’re doing and have Logan on the bench and just there as an emergency in case something happens. Cade could play hooker at a pinch and then we can just shuffle the backs around.”
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