One of Hull FC’s scholarship tries has gone viral on social media after Wednesday’s 32-16 victory over Hull KR. The try was scored by Caleb Paleaaesina, the first of an individual try brace, and has been viewed over 50,000 times across various platforms.
Taking a pass from Kingsley Sharpe on the last tackle, Paleaaesina, son of former Hull forward Feka Paleaaesina, raced over 80 metres to score, showing a clean pair of heels to leave the Rovers defence for dead in an eye-catching sprint to the line.
Lining up in the back row, Paleaaesina is just one member of a highly rated scholarship intake for this season, with Sharpe, a half-back who showed his skillset throughout, another. Also in the side are Jacob Last and Isaac Last, the twin sons of current assistant coach Andy Last, and Cameron Windley, son of former player Johan Windley.
The current scholarship side is expected to form the makeup of the academy side for the 2027 Australia Tour. They will be either first- or second-year academy players, with the club embarking on a three-week tour down under where they will play three NRL youth sides and undergo training and opposed sessions against others.
Meanwhile, Hull’s scholarship side hit back with three first-half tries after Rovers took the lead at the University of Hull. James Tann got Hull going before Kadus Boateng added two more – the second off a slick flick pass from Sharpe.
The Black and Whites extended that lead after the break through Ellis Fontana before Paleaaesina ran riot. His first try was sensational, but the second was also a neat play, with the forward running a strong line off Sharpe to score.
Sharpe then added the final try, taking the line on and barging his way over. The side kicked two of their seven conversion attempts.
The scholarship side has played four times this year, winning both of their home games. They defeated Warrington Wolves 38-20 last month but have tasted defeat twice on the road at Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants.
Meanwhile, Hull KR won the academy derby over the Easter Weekend, edging a scrappy game 20-16 after a late winner.
Hull Scholarship XIII: Cameron Windley; Kadus Boating, Trent Turner, Lewis Ellis-Fontana, James Tann, Kingsley Sharpe, Owen Bartle; Jake Fletcher, Isaac Last, Logan Edwards; Caleb Paleaaesina, Ryan Wilkinson; Henry Cator
Interchange: Jacob Last, Travis Minns-Strachan, Jethro Attah-Boakye, Charlie Topham, Noah Gladstone, Harrison Turner, Bobby Stipetic
Hull Tries: Paleaaesina 2, Boateng 2, Tann, Ellis-Fontana, Sharpe