Hull Daily Mail

With Sao leading the way Hull pack’s in safe hands

- By WILLIAM JACKSON william.jackson@reachplc.com @Williamj93

On Friday night, Ligi Sao became the latest player to have his new contract announced by Hull FC. The Black and Whites had plenty to officially clear up when the season ended in midseptemb­er regarding contracts.

The likes of Josh Griffin, Andre Savelio and Manu Ma’u were always expected to stick around beyond the end of the season and they have since had their new deals announced by the club.

Sao was the final player of that bunch to have his new agreement made public, and it was undoubtedl­y a case of Hull saving one of their most important renewals until last.

The Samoan internatio­nal has been one of the club’s most consistent and impressive performers during his spell at the MKM Stadium so far and his new two-year deal ensures he will continue to give his best years to FC.

Sao’s time in East Yorkshire hasn’t been without its challenges.

Just a few months after making the move from New Zealand Warriors, the Super League ground to a halt due to coronaviru­s and the forward was forced into lockdown 11,000 miles away from home.

It could have been easy for him to become unsettled during that time, but instead he produced some of his best rugby when the competitio­n eventually got moving once more, helping the Black and Whites to a play-off semi-final.

Remarkably despite the disruption and uncertaint­y of Covid, Sao carried that form over into the 2021 campaign under Brett Hodgson.

The prop only missed two games this year in all competitio­ns and hardly ever did he let his standards drop, performing admirably week after week, even when Hull’s season took a turn for the worse after an enforced lay-off.

Without fail Sao ploughed on through the middle, playing huge minutes and helping those around him produce their best stuff, namely his best mate Chris Satae.

Satae eventually won the club’s player of the year award for his showings this year, but his front-row partner regularly facilitate­d those dominant displays by digging deep alongside him, something Hodgson was keen to point out when asked about the pair back in May.

“Chris doesn’t do what he does without Ligi Sao and the way he has started,” Hodgson stated.

“I think he’s probably gone undermenti­oned in terms of how impactful he is for us as a group.

“Ligi for me has been that rock for us in the middle that also allows other people to do what they do.”

Hodgson will start to welcome his players back for pre-season on November 1 as work begins on righting the wrongs of the 2021 season.

The hope is that more changes to the squad will be made, following up on the release of Mahe Fonua and the addition of Joe Lovodua with more fresh faces and it is thought the club are close to finalising the signing of another front-rower.

Plenty is still up in the air when it comes to personnel, but Hodgson now knows his pack is in safe hands with Sao set to continue leading the way for the next two campaigns at least.

 ?? MARK COSGROVE/ NEWS IMAGES ?? Hull FC’S Ligi Sao is tackled by Morgan Knowles
MARK COSGROVE/ NEWS IMAGES Hull FC’S Ligi Sao is tackled by Morgan Knowles
 ?? ?? Brett Hodgson
Brett Hodgson

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