John Cartwright will access Hull FC’s hooker options with his coaching staff over the weekend. The Black and Whites take on Wigan Warriors next week but will do so without Amir Bourouh, who failed his head injury assessment (HIA) during Thursday’s win over Wakefield Trinity.
In his absence, Cade Cust featured in the role, with Jack Charles coming on to partner Aidan Sezer in the halves. And that combination could be used again against the Cherry and Whites, with Hull meeting Matt Peet’s side for a fourth time this season.
They will also be without Ed Chamberlain, who too failed his HIA during the Trinity clash, but with Brad Fash deputising well in the back row on his 200th career appearance, it seems it’s the spine positions where the big selection call will come.
Bourouh’s absence could mean Hull will utilise the call-back option on Denive Balmforth, who is currently on loan at fellow Super League club Catalans Dragons. Young dummy half Will Hutchinson is also an option.
“We’ll have to have a look at it,” Cartwright said post-match. “I was really happy with how Cade looked when he went to hooker. We’ll talk about it as coaches over the weekend, but we’ll enjoy that win for the moment.”
On Cust, Cartwright continued: “He’s dangerous, and he’s very smart. We signed him as a hooker/half to come off the bench and do a role there. Tonight was a chance, with injuries, to play longer minutes in the nine role, and he just adds a bit of a dimension to our attack.
“Charlesy came on, and he was nice and composed. He kicked a really crucial goal. We’ll have a look at the game, and that’s probably the obvious way we’ll go. It was nice just to win and have a couple of days now to think about it.”
Balmforth is currently in week three of a month’s loan at Catalans. He made his debut for the French club against Huddersfield Giants in Perpignan and also featured away at Wakefield last week. Meanwhile, Hutchinson debuted for Hull in the Challenge Cup against York Acorn back in February and has also featured twice in Super League this year.
As for the pack, Chamberlain’s absence could mean a recall for Matty Laidlaw should Fash or Jack Ashworth start in the back row. Jed Cartwright is fine after coming off on the hour mark during Thursday’s win.