Sam Lisone on signing for Hull FC, his own game, and his off-season training partner
Sam Lisone is aiming to create ‘havoc’ at Hull FC next year. The big prop is one of eight new recruits for the 2026 season and is hoping to add some punch and fire to the black and white pack.
Renowned in his Leeds Rhinos days as an impact front rower, Lisone has one thing in mind: create chaos. All about those shorter and punchier stints, the 31-year-old is ready to bring his own unique qualities to the club – one he believes he can have some success at under John Cartwright next year.
Speaking to Hull Live, Lisone said: “Thats my game. It’s not big minutes, but short stints. I try to cause havoc. That’s what I’ll be doing.
“I want success. That’s the plan and I’m working really hard in the pre-season. These two years at Hull might be the last time I go around but I do want to be part of something great.
“That’s the exciting bit. I look at our team and we’ve got a great team on paper. We’ve just got to show it on a weekend and build now for a big season. It’s a long season, but I feel like our team can do something.”
Hailing from Auckland, Lisone is one of four Kiwis in the Hull squad for 2026. He’s part of some familiar recruitment, with the player knowing Ligi Sao and James Bell from his days in the NRL at the Warriors. He’s also good mates with Herman Ese’ese, Hull’s leading prop, who played a huge role in getting his countryman to the black and whites.
“We are really tight,” Lisone said on Ese’ese. “We grew up together as kids and we were at the Gold Coast Titans together. We’ve spent a lot of time together.
“He’s a good mate of mine. Once the opportunity came up, I messaged him, and he helped get it over the line for me.
“I also knew Aidan Sezer. I grew up with Ligi Sao and James Bell. I knew John Asiata too. It’s been an easy transition for me, really.
“James and Herman, we grew up playing against each other when we were kids, and Ligi, too, in the juniors. I’ve played with Bellsy since I was like 14, 15 or 16.
“We know each other well and we’ve got a good pack here, a big pack, with good recruits, so fingers crossed, we can all stay injury-free next year and have a good run.”
Putting pen to paper on a deal at Hull, Lisone didn’t look back, knowing he’s got the backing of a club who recognised his value and were keen to see him sign.
“I was waiting for a contract and nothing was put on the table,” Lisone explained. “Hull came into play and everything lined up.
“I had a couple of years at Leeds and it was a big move for me to move over, but I’m just grateful that the boys have welcomed me in. I’m excited to be here.”
In the thick of pre-season training, Lisone has already hit the ground running at Hull after spending the off-season training with a surprise figure in Australia: John Cartwright.
Linking up with Hull’s head coach, the duo got acquainted on the Gold Coast, running up and down the infamous Currumbin Beach steps. For Lisone, it wasn’t a bad way to make a good first impression, with the prop gearing up to play for a coach who oversaw the Hull resurgence and bought into everything to do with the black and whites last season.
“It’s the first time for me working with Carty,” Lisone added. “I was training with him in the off season back in Australia on the Gold Coast, which was cool.
“He may be 60 now but he still carts it up those stairs pretty fast. We were doing that together. It was nice. We had a nice brew after and talked about what he wanted from me, which is exciting.
“He’s been sound. He knows what he’s talking about and what’s he doing. I’m just trying to take in as much as I can and improve every day.
“He’s a good fella, and you can see it in the boys that they want to play for Carty. That’s what you want, you want your players to play hard for their coach and be proud to be playing for Hull.
“I can sense that. It’s been good so far. The boys and the club have been really welcoming. I’ve settled in now and I’m excited for the challenge.”