Hull FC coach addresses Herman Ese’ese future amid exit reports

Hull FC’s interim head coach Andy Last was left baffled by reports suggesting Herman Ese’ese is set for an imminent departure from the club, admitting he has heard nothing of the sort.

Auckland-born former Samoa and New Zealand international Ese’ese has been with Hull since the beginning of the 2024 campaign having joined the Black and Whites from the Dolphins.

With first-grade appearances Down Under also on his CV for Canterbury Bulldogs, Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans, he hit the ground running in an FC shirt to become an immediate cult hero.

Thursday night saw the powerhouse front-rower play his part in a 32-18 win away against St Helens, delivering one of the best performances since returning from a lengthy lay-off.

But after some discourse on social media over the last few days suggesting the same, Sky Sports reported ahead of Thursday night’s clash that the 32-year-old was set for an immediate departure from Hull.

The broadcaster suggested that the game at Saints would be his last for FC, with a move to a club ‘at the top end of Super League on the cards’.

‘There’s been no talks of that regard to me’

Super League strugglers FC had lost seven games on the spin prior to the victory at the BrewDog Stadium, in which Ese’ese was denied his 13th try for the club by the video referee in a contentious first half call.

Post-match, interim head coach Last was asked about the reports around Ese’ese’s imminent departure, and was left puzzled as he responded: “I can’t (shed any light on it), that’s the first I’ve heard of that.

“He played really well tonight.

“I can’t confirm or deny any of that.

“He’s contracted until 2030, so that would suggest he’s got to be with Hull FC for the long-term.

“There’s been no talks of that regard to me.”

With a rebuild set to come ahead of 2027 at the MKM Stadium ahead of new head coach Steve McNamara’s arrival, Ese’ese is not the first player whose future has come into the spotlight in recent weeks.

Last said: “That’s the nature of where we’re at. A new coach is coming in and he’ll want to make his mark on things.

“We haven’t played well this year, so there will be some change. It is unsettling, but professional sport is a very fragile occupation.

“That’s just the nature of sport.”