Was down at Ionians yesterday morning, all the boys looked in great shape. Don't know if they all looked too happy to be there with them pitches half frozen, though

I think the fact that we're still in negotiations shows that our board thinks there's a deal to be done. Our board would of walked away by now otherwise.

I agree. I hope that they are really pushing for him now and using all their power to bring him to Hull.

Agree on that hopefully there's still a good chance.

Absolutely but at some point that will change if nothing seems forthcoming.

Yeh they went up to Longcroft school, trained on the Astro doing some ball work for an hour.

There's only so far these things can go before they're not worth the time. Like you say, it looks like either Crusaders or Hull are going to have to give in to make the deal happen.

I think the Sammutt links are just a smokescreen that Hull are happy to go along with. Everybody in the game has known that Hull have been looking for a half back since the end of last season. Therefore i reckon that Agents will have offered Hull every out of contract and want-away half back in the world of Rugby League. With that in mind would Hull really be in discussions with Crusaders to sign a reasonable/middle of the road scrum half at this late stage for what is likely to be a large transfer fee? Unlikely in the extreme.
It is more likely that Hull identified their target early and have been in discussions since to manoeuvre his release from his current club. I am pretty sure Rangi Chase is your man.

Obviously no NRL halves of the desired quality within our price range (cheap) at the end of last season and now we near the new season it's important that we sign someone in SL already so we dont encounter visa delays otherwise there's no point really.

Castleford Squad numbers: 6. Chase www.castigers.com/article.php?id=1229

Castleford Squad numbers: 6. Chase www.castigers.com/article.php?id=1229

I would be very happy with either Sammut or Chase but would not be surprised if we sign a player not mentionned on the rumours thread so far.

Could still be a possibility, but if there's no names there's no rumours!

Think about it logically Dave. Hull knew of their need for a half before they committed a big fee and contract for Westerman. They wouldnt have done that without leaving enough in the pot for a quality half. And thats not withstanding Berrigans money.

And to be fair to this board most half backs playing pro RL (and a few who dont) on both sides of the world have been linked to Hull at some point!

Would be my preference

You're not far wrong there



I've given up a bit on talking over the same points on here, just getting frustrated and impatient now! Ricky Gervais and Ryan Giggs have been a breath of fresh air on this forum!

I personally think we may well have approached Cas & Crusaders for Chase and Sammut, however the fact that it is so close to the start of the season both clubs will be very reluctant to sell due to the uproar it will cause with their fans and the fact that they would struggle to get a replacement, think we may well go into the season with what we have.

I think about most things logically mate.



As an alternative option to your above it may have been that Hull scoured the market for a half back, couldnt find one, spent the cash on Westerman and decided to deal with it this year and review next year when we have cash spare. Berrigan leaves, free's up cash, FC decide to scour the market again for a half.

In summary, they could have decided that a half simply wasnt going to happen this year so signed Westerman. They could have also been let down at the 11th hour with regards to a half back. We just dont know.

That could well be the case BDT, what I've been thinking too.

I don't think we will sign anyone, if we had a viable option we'd have closed the deal by now, and in all honesty, would Chase or Sammut really make that much of a difference, neither are really top class, if we were talking about a world class half then I could see the point, but brining someone in largely because they are more likely to remain fit doesn't seem sensible to me.

IMO but from a Hull FC pov, Sammut would be alright. Not that much better than Obst, who wouldn't use your last non-fed spot, though. Chase would be brilliant - it'd take a big fee you'd assume but he is real class and would represent a long-term (at least partial) solution to your hb issues.

Quote ="tommyfromhull"Castleford Squad numbers: 6. Chase www.castigers.com/article.php?id=1229'" we gave raynor number 5 and still let him go

Quote ="tommyfromhull"Castleford Squad numbers: 6. Chase www.castigers.com/article.php?id=1229'" we gave raynor number 5 and still let him go

Sammut and Obst as an example would give us what we need as a squad though... cover in the halves and 9.

I dont believe for one minute that Hetherington scoured the market for a half back, couldnt find one so said bugger it lets sign a backrower instead. That would indicate a lack of strategy, which for all her faults she cannot be accused of.

Chase is very much on the radar but it will hard top secure a deal, Cas have already lost Shenton and Westerman so will dig their heels in over Chase. Chase and Sammutt are both options but neither are easy deals to pull off, Chase would be the better option but a deal for Sammutt would be easier, although still tough.

I'll be happy with either, I think someway or another we will bring in one of them and a back hopefully.