Hull FC have a trump card to play in their pursuit of Leeds Rhinos prop Sam Lisone: their current Man of Steel chasing front-rower Herman Ese’ese.
The Black and Whites gun is a former teammate of Lisone at both Gold Coast Titans in the NRL and with Samoa at international level. In fact, the duo grew up together in Auckland, with the front rowers both born in 1994 and playing with and against each other at various age groups.
And since the reports emerged from Hull Live of Hull’s interest in Lisone, Hull’s current prop gun has been speaking to his Rhino chum, selling the club, the squad, and the environment as the Black and Whites aim to sign the player for 2026 and beyond.
Of course, Hull need the passing of a quota extension to sign Lisone, with that extension expected to be officially granted later this month. But in the meantime, they are confident they can convince the 31-year-old to join Hull instead of re-signing with Leeds, with Ese’ese doing his bit to help bring in another big piece of recruitment as John Cartwright and co. look to improve the squad for next season.
“We’ve been messaging a lot,” Ese’ese, speaking in Hull’s weekly press conference, said. “He called me and asked me what the club is like and what the playing group is like. I told him how I felt and that he would really suit being here.
“I’m pretty sure a lot of the boys have played with him before or against him, and they know what he’s like. I’m sure the rest of the playing group would love to have him here too.”
Ese’ese admitted that any potential signing hasn’t gone beyond talks yet. However, there’s no doubt in his mind of the qualities Lisone would bring to the club.
“He hasn’t gone further than talks yet,” Ese’ese explained. “He was just asking me what it is like here and when the decision has been made, he’ll let me know.
“He’s awesome, big Sammy, and he’s a bit of a character too. I grew up playing with him and playing against him back in Auckland. We grew up playing against each other in the under-20s, and then we played together in the NRL and at international level as well.
“It would be awesome to have Sammy here—he’s the big prop that we need. He’s got a massive impact, and he’s pretty skilful as well with the ball. He’ll bring that size and that grunt.
“He’s one of the best impact forwards in the Super League right now. He’s got a lot of experience, and just within the playing group, he’s a character, and I’m sure he’ll be good for morale and things like that.”
Ese’ese, second in the Man of Steel voting as the charts go incognito for the rest of the season, has no doubt that the likes of Lisone would also help take his own game to the next level, with the club also signing Joe Batchelor, James Bell, Connor Bailey, and Harvie Hill, as per Hull Live, for next season.
“I’m really excited,” Ese’ese, who still has four and a half years to run on his current Hull deal, said about the future. “There’s a lot of experience coming in, and for myself as a front rower, I always love big boys and new boys coming into the team and bringing what they can. Hopefully, we can get big Sammy in to complement what we’ve already got. It would be a great signing for the club.”