Sao’s future is currently a talking point.
10:00, 09 Aug 2025Updated 10:03, 09 Aug 2025
Hull FC’s Ligi Sao in pre-season training. (Image: Hull FC)
John Cartwright hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Ligi Sao playing on at Hull FC next season – even if they pull off the signing of Jake Arthur. The 32-year-old forward is out of contract at the end of the year and has missed almost the entire season after rupturing his patella tendon back in February.
But Cartwright has now stated that the Kiwi could still have a future at Hull, although the club, who deregistered the player earlier this year after the extent of his injury was learnt, would need to facilitate a quota spot should they hold the desire to keep him.
Hull have nine overseas places filled up for next year, signing Sam Lisone and James Bell to sit alongside the seven current players tied up next season. Their tenth and final spot is in the works in the shape of Arthur, as first reported by Hull Live on Monday.
The Black and Whites are looking to finalise a deal for the Australian, who may yet re-sign with an NRL club. Cartwright confirmed the club’s interest on Thursday with a deal still to be completed. If that move is completed, then Hull would be up to their quota capacity, leaving Sao’s future in doubt.
But Cartwright hasn’t ruled out keeping Sao, who is ruled out for the current season and was deregistered after suffering his knee injury. The Kiwi joined Hull ahead of the 2020 season and has played 104 times for the club.
“Jake would be our 10th import,” Cartwright, speaking in his pre-match press conference, said. “I spoke to Ligi, and I said I’d let him know exactly where we stood but until we know 100 per cent about Jake and what we do there, (we can’t.)
“We’re always on the lookout for non-quota players, but there’s a death of players to fill your spot so sometimes you look overseas. There could still be an opportunity for Ligi.”
Cartwright also explained Hull’s decision to let young middle Cobie Wainhouse leave the club, with the 19-year-old signing for Hull KR – originally on loan for the rest of this year and then permanently on a two-year deal from the 2026 season.
“You can’t keep them all,” Cartwright added. “He got a good offer to go to Hull KR. You can’t begrudge kids – they’re the leading club at the moment and he’s had a decent offer to go there. And he’s grabbed it. The club wishes him well.”