Hull’s forgotten man has started the year in strong fashion.
Hull FC prop Ligi Sao.
John Cartwright has lauded the performance of returning Hull FC prop Ligi Sao and is backing the forward to be a ‘really important’ player for the team this year.
Sao made his first competitive appearance in 12 months at Salford RLFC in the Challenge Cup on Friday night, with the 33-year-old starting the game alongside new recruit Harvie Hill.
Restricted to just two games last season, Sao ruptured his patella tendon against Wigan last February and, after an extension rehab and recovery period, made his first appearance back in the Hull side against the Cherry and Whites last week. But Salford was his first taste of competitive action and Cartwright has praised the big front rower for his display, with the player running strong again and holding his own in defence.
“He was good last week and really good again tonight,” Cartwright said post-match. “I thought he was strong through the middle of the field. He looks very fit and lean, and touch wood, he stays on the field. He’s going to be a really important player for us.”
Sao has impressed many figures at the club after his conduct through his rehab, and is now like ‘a new signing’ of sorts, slotting back into the team and playing an important role without the likes of Herman Ese’ese – who has a Good Friday return target after rupturing his Achilles last August.
Starting alongside Hill, Sao has played big minutes and has got stronger the longer his stints have gone on. The acid test will now come in Super League, with Liam Knight set to come back into Hull’s front row for the opener against Bradford Bulls on Saturday evening. But it’s a test the likes of James Bell, who is fighting his own race against time to be fit, is backing him to pass.
“He’s come back fitter and stronger,” Bell previously told Hull Live. “He’s looking dangerous and he’s looking refreshed out there, which is great to see. I’ve known Ligi for a long time now, and the way he’s moving, he’s looking very good, very fit, and ready for a big season. He’s recovered really well.
“He’s looking really strong and he’s another guy who can add another dimension to the team. He’s a strong runner and he plays big minutes – he’s always breaking tackles and he’s always looking for the offload. The more gametime he can get on the field, the better for the team it will be. I’m really excited to see how he goes.”