Hull FC were cruelly defeated at Headingley as Ryan Hall’s 79th-minute try snatched Leeds Rhinos an 18-16 victory on Friday night after they trailed 16-4 in the second half. Here Hull Live looks at some talking points.

Hull’s polish lesson

Hull will feel that loss more than lost. They led for most of the game, building a two-score lead after half-time. However, after gifting Leeds four points before the break, they were pegged back again with three tries in the second half – the winner 90 seconds before full-time – earning the Rhinos the win.

The winner came after Leeds overturned a live call of a knock-on with the captain’s challenge. It was tough on Hull, with the Rhinos then rampaging downfield through Ash Handley – always a threat – before shifting the ball to the right edge and scoring through Hall.

It was an unreal passage of play from a Rhinos perspective and a firm example of the progress they have made under coach Brad Arthur. They are tough, resilient, and physical, but they can play as well, and their big players step up. Brodie Croft was at the heart of the second-half comeback, and the plays from Handley and Hall were massive.

For Hull, who more than competed and led for nearly fifty minutes of the game, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. They got themselves ahead with a neat scrum play try from Lewis Martin and added to that as Sam Eseh crashed over. And when Harvey Barron finished strong in the second half, it looked like another win at Headingley was forming.

The chances were even there to extend the lead at 16-10 with Hull camped on the Rhinos’ line for a good three sets. They also had the chance to kill the game off at 16-14. However, they couldn’t get over again – a fate that proved costly.

Hull Live asked John Cartwright if his side, whose effort and discipline weren’t an issue, could have done any more to win. He said: “Maybe we could have snuck over the line in the second half when we had a bit of possession on their line, but they’re a very good defensive side. I thought we challenged them, but in the end a couple of calls went against us, and that was the difference in the game.”

Cartwright spoke pre-match of Hull not putting teams away this year, and this is a case in point. Hull will be adamant they deserved victory, but they had to strike in that period and build a two-score lead again.

In the end, Leeds held firm and then struck at the other end. As said already, they are tough, but if Hull were to walk away with victory, you felt that was a moment they needed to ice.

In terms of competitiveness, Hull were bang at it against a side currently in the top four of Super League. Leeds beat Wigan at Headingley and should have seen off Hull KR. They are a very good side.

It’s small consolation now, especially given the raw nature of the loss, but Hull can take pride and knowledge from the contest that similar efforts will bring reward – especially with more polish to their play.

Cartwright may have said the honeymoon period is over a couple of weeks ago, but he still believes in his side, who are clearly a much more connected team this year. They did what they spoke of pre-match, and they produced a disciplined account. But it’s polish that will be the difference between winning and losing these games in the future, and with another tough test coming at Leigh next week, it’s an area now that they really have to nail.

Liam Knight hits back

The form of Liam Knight has been a talking point in recent weeks, especially with Hull looking for answers on a quota exemption rule that would give them the space to keep the prop next year. And as revealed by Hull Live, Hull very much want to keep the 30-year-old, who sterns up Hull’s middle. Knight’s preference is to stay at Hull as well, with the Aussie putting in a fully committed performance at Headingley.

Coming back from a red card at Magic Weekend last time out, Knight carried strong throughout and defended firm. He adds punch to Hull’s unit with his size and strength and has been a quality addition. That was another example of it. Hopefully some clarity will come soon, and Hull can negotiate an extension – they’ll be much better for it.

Elsewhere, Sam Eseh also produced his best display in a Hull shirt. The on-loan prop had a big impact off the bench and, at 21 years old, seems to have a big future ahead of him. Again, he carried well and was firm in defence, getting over for his first Hull try. Taking Amir Bourouh’s pass, Eseh had just enough to get over, grounding the ball and giving Hull an extended first-half lead.

What the crack is with his long-term future is still to be determined, but there is a player there for sure. He is out of contract at Wigan come the end of 2025, but the Warriors do hold the option for a third year. You’d imagine that Hull will ask that question soon too. The player is stepping up by the week.

Rapana injury

As Jordan Rapana lay motionless on the Headingley turf, it was only natural to assume the worst, but thankfully, the player – who was playing in his 250th career game – is now conscious and moving about.

The Kiwi – with the medical staff taking every precaution on his neck – was stretchered from the field with a head injury. It was Jake Connor involved as Rapana shot out the line looking to put the pressure on with a big contact. But after the contact, it was the Hull player who came off second best.

There was nothing in the contact that should be scrutinised – it was just an unfortunate rugby league moment. Play was stoppage for nay on ten minutes as Rapana was treated, and with the player out cold, he’ll automatically miss Thursday’s game at Leigh. Once again, thankfully it’s nothing serious. As Cartwright said post-match: “He’s in good hands now.”

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