14 August 2023 , 17:00
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Hull have signed former Samoa prop Herman Ese’ese - the nephew of former Leeds favourite Ali Lauiti’iti.
He joins from the Dolphins on a three-year deal starting in 2024. The Kiwi-born forward, 28, has made more than 125 NRL appearances with the likes of Canterbury Bulldogs, Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights, and Gold Coast Titans. Ese’ese is a regular for Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins, having featured 17 times for newcomers this season.
Having gained plenty of interest from the NRL and in the UK, he said: “I’m really excited to be making the move; I’ve always wanted to come over to Super League and test myself on that side of the world. I’m only 28 years-old and feel like I’m in the prime of my career right now, so I’m thrilled to be spending the next three years with Hull.”
Ese’ese is the East Yorkshire’s first signing ahead of 2024 and helps offsets the loss of Chris Satae to Catalans at the end of the season. Boss Tony Smith, who led Leeds to the 2004 Grand Final with exciting second-row Lauiti’iti in his side, said: “We’ve done a lot of research into getting the right people into the club, and Herman fits the bill.
“We’ve been talking to him for a while and we’re excited about the prospect of him joining. We want people who are going to come here and improve us, and help develop the right culture here, and we’re confident he will do that.
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Herman Ese'ese is on his way to Hull FC (Getty Images)“He’s got good skill and likes to play with the ball – he can put on a nice pass and some good go-forward. He knows how to find the right pass and offload at the right time. We don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but having coached his uncle many years ago, you can see many similarities between him and Ali Lauiti’iti in aspects of his game.”