Radford purring at Faraimo impact

Hull coach Lee Radford was pleased new signing Bureta Faraimo started how he meant to go on – as a replacement for powerhouse winger Mahe Fonua.

Faraimo, 27, made his debut in the black and white against Catalans on Sunday, scoring a try.

But it was a swashbuckling performance that drew comparisons with Fonua, who departed for Wests at the end of last season having scored 31 tries in 58 appearances for the Airlie Birds, earning back-to-back selections in the Super League Dream Team.

Radford said: “He’s like a smoking gun, he’s not a water pistol is he.

“I kept saying that he was very similar. You look at his meters today and instantly know he’s going to be there or thereabouts.

“It’s the first time he’s played in snow as well, so that was a new experience for him.”

Hull, who open their Super League season on Thursday week against Huddersfield, eased past Catalans 24-10 in the snow at the KCOM Stadium.