The Hull FC prop is aiming to come back with a bang.
Hull FC prop Herman Ese’ese.(Image: SW PIX)
Herman Ese’ese is confident he can get back to top form with Hull FC and become a ‘legend’ of the club.
The Black and Whites prop will miss the start of the Super League season as he enters the latter stages of his recovery from a ruptured Achilles last August. However, he is targeting a return to action sooner rather than later and has pinpointed the Good Friday derby against Hull KR on April 3 to do just that.
Knuckling down in rehab, Ese’ese is determined to hit the ground running again. Hitting top form with Hull last year, the Auckland-born star was the standout prop in Super League before his injury and was in the top three of the Man of Steel leader board for the first half of the season.
The 31-year-old is now ticking all the boxes to ensure he can get back to that level of form, doing right by his teammates and the club’s supporters, having tied his future up at the Black and Whites until the end of 2029 at least.
“I was really happy with the season I had and I was really grateful for the contract extension that I got,” Ese’ese told Hull Live. “But my form last year comes off the back of these boys turning up week in, week out.
“I just tried to do my best for them and not let them down – and the fans as well, the Old Faithful; that’s one thing in the back of my head. I want to come back and get back to that level of form and play good footy for the fans and for the team.
“Once I’m back, I know I will need a few games to get going again, but after that, I’m confident in my abilities and confident in the player that I am that I can play some footy.
“It was one of my goals when I put pen to paper, but I want to be a legend of this club. It’s a proud club, and I love playing here. I love playing with the boys, and I love pulling on the Black and White jersey and performing in front of the Old Faithful.
“It’s one thing I’m working hard for, to come back stronger and play some good footy for everyone who is involved with the club.”
When Ese’ese returns to action, he will be playing alongside the club’s new recruits, James Bell and Sam Lisone, and long-serving forward Ligi Sao – three players he knows inside out after growing up together in South Auckland. But now they’re here in East Yorkshire and ready to rock and roll.
“That’s rugby league,” Ese’ese smirked. “I think Sam Lisone brings that grunt and that impact off the bench. It’s something we’ve been missing. He was the best impact player last year. I’m really close with him – I grew up with him and played with and against him a lot of times.
“James Bell is another one I played against through my junior career. And then Ligi as well. He’s done so well to get back from his own injury.
“It’s crazy how we’re all here now but it’s a good feeling for us all. We’ve all got one goal to chase and that’s to win the competition. There’d be no better feeling than doing that with my best mates.”