HOW HULL’S SPINE COULD LINE UP IN FUTURE
HULL FC’S spine has come under the most scrutiny this season, with underfire halfbacks and hooking dilemmas holding the side back.
Having Jake Connor out injured for around three months has only enhanced that, with Hull struggling to create in the South of France against Catalans last weekend.
Labelling his halfbacks as a “work in progress”, Brett Hodgson does have options though, players he has called upon before and players also waiting for their own opportunities.
With youth development a big thing at Hull FC, here the Mail looks at an alternative spine for the future.
Davy Litten: The teenager has risen through the ranks over the last couple of years, going from a student at the club’s college to the first team.
It’s a pretty remarkable rise and he also looked the part in pre-season against both Bradford and Leeds.
Named in a couple of 21-man squads earlier this year, the club have high hopes for Litten, who is the cousin of current Hull KR hooker Jez.
Patience is the key though, they don’t want to push him too soon, despite, and by all accounts, the silky fullback performing really well in both the academy and reserve sides this season.
Jacob Hookem: Making his debut against Wakefield in the final Super League round of last year, Hookem was the best thing about FC.
It was an underwhelming team performance, but the teenage halfback, who can also slot in at hooker, was a bright spark.
He has a good running game and loves to take the line on, whilst his passing and kicking games are also promising. After shaking off injury troubles, he’s starred in the academy and reserve sides and now waits patiently for his next opportunity.
Ben Mcnamara: FC fans know a lot about Mcnamara and not just because he’s the son of former Black and White and current Catalans head coach, Steve. Making his debut at Castleford in 2020, Mcnamara has played over 20 games and before a back injury that has sidelined him, he was starting to look the part
He’s a calming influence that plays simple, but sometimes simple is a good thing.
Mcnamara takes the responsibility of first receiver and gets the ball wide at the right times. He is also a good goal kicker. He should be straight back in the side once he’s cleared to play again.
Denive Balmforth: Lured away from Warrington earlier this season, the Leeds-born hooker is a really exciting prospect.
He made his first-team debut against Toulouse a couple of months ago and scored a try almost immediately after his introduction.
He’s got some size about him and he’s mobile, but most importantly, his distribution is on point.
As well as their halves, Hull desperately need to shake up the hooker position. They need both a threat and a spark out of dummy half and it’s hoped by many that Balmforth, along with Joe Lovodua, can be the long-term answer to that.