John Cartwright admits the recent performances of Zak Hardaker at full-back have eased the recruitment pressure on Hull FC.
The Black and Whites currently find themselves without a fit first choice full-back, with Will Pryce ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing his ACL in the loss to Wigan Warriors in round two.
Davy Litten was man immediately chosen to replace Pryce in the number one spot, but a difficult showing against Wakefield Trinity prompted a change there, with Hardaker taking the reins over the last couple of weeks. And, the former Leigh Leopards and Wigan Warriors man has impressed in the role, with his experience, nous and knowhow making a telling difference against Leeds Rhinos last time out.
As such, while Hull have been assessing their options in the transfer market following Pryce’s injury, Cartwright admits Hardaker has eased full-back concerns.
“It has,” Cartwright said. “We play a different style of game having him there to say, Will Pryce, but Zak will fill the job wherever he goes and do it professionally. We’ve just got to adapt our game a little bit.
“The more ball he gets and the more involvement he gets, that’s the way he likes it. Full-back probably suits the style of game Zak plays, but so does the back row, or centre, or anywhere you put him. He finds a way to the ball.”
Asked if he would be comfortable leaving Hardaker in the role for the remainder of the season if needs be, the head coach added: “It will be a necessity thing and it depends what happens in the halves.
“He’s our go-to man when we need a spot that needs to be filled, or if we think one of the young boys are ready for it, that’s the role Zak has taken on board. It’ll be a horses for courses, or a week by week thing.
“We certainly miss Will Pryce there and the speed and the X-Factor that he brought, but Zak brings a different quality. We’ve just got to tinker a little bit with how we play when Zak is at full-back.”
Hardaker, who joined Hull ahead of the 2025 season, is in the final year of his contract with the Black and Whites. The club do have the option to extend that by a further year, though, and the player has already spoken about his desire to stick around at the MKM Stadium beyond the end of the current campaign.
“I know Richie and Zak are talking now,” Cartwright added. “I know he’s really comfortable here and the club is really comfortable with him. I would hope that something would be done pretty soon.”
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