Hull FC boss on futures of Liam Knight and Ligi Sao amid quota change meeting

[josie andrews]

Liam Knight has told Hull FC that he is keen to stay at the club next season, but his future may depend on changes being made to the quota rules. That’s according to head coach John Cartwright, who is hopeful that the club get a positive decision from the regulatory meeting next week with possible quota changes on the agenda.

It’s unclear whether there will be a straight vote at the meeting or whether it might just an opportunity to gauge any interest ahead of another get together down the line. But, for Hull, it directly impacts the business they can do for next season.

The Black and Whites have already signed St Helens man James Bell for next season and under the current rulings that would see them full up in regards to overseas players, with no room for off contract pair Liam Knight and Ligi Sao

However, the proposed changes would see overseas players be exempt from the quota after spending six years in the competition. Both Bell and Sao would be eligible on the front, and that would leave a space open for Knight to re-sign with FC.

According to All Out Rugby League, Warrington Wolves have highlighted Knight as a potential target for next season having missed out on Tom Amone. Cartwright is under the impression that the prop will wait to find out Hull’s situation, though, before he makes any decision on his future.

“There will be a few clubs chasing Liam, I’d imagine, but he’s aware of our situation,” Cartwright told the press on Thursday afternoon. “I believe there’s a meeting next week regarding quota players and if there is going to be any change to the rule there.

“But what is nice to hear from Liam is that he’s very keen to stay here. He’s going to give us every chance around that ruling on quota players, and for all clubs benefit, that needs to happen yesterday.

There’s not many businesses in the world that you can run without knowing what the rules are for the following season. They need to make a decision on that for the following season pretty quickly.”

On the quota changes, Cartwright added: “There are a lot of things going on in rugby league that affect everyone. There’s a side that is going to come into the NRL in Perth in 2027, and the pool is drying up over there as well.

Having spent some time in Super League, if I’m involved in the new club, I’m looking over here. The Australian clubs are tying up their best players for the long term, and there are players over here that no doubt can handle the NRL, and if I were in the new Australian team, I’d be looking at the best players over here to get started.

“We’re hopeful. The early indications were that there would be a relaxation of the quota players if you spent five years in the competitions here. Fingers crossed the clubs get something at the meeting on what they can and can’t do.”

John Cartwright on the possibility of Ligi Sao staying at Hull FC
Hull find themselves in such a position with Knight and Sao due to the exemption the Black and Whites received following the season curtailing injury Sao suffered earlier this year. The forward has been with Hull since 2019 and Cartwright is a fan of the Samoa international.

Whether he remains with Hull FC for next season might just rely on the quota rules being altered, though.

“It will – we’ve got no quota spots,” Cartwright said when asked whether Sao’s future depends on overseas changes. “If there’s a relaxing of the rule, then we’d certainly have a look.

“He had a great off-season with us and started the season really strongly. I haven’t spoken to Ligi about it yet; all I’ve spoken to Ligi about is working really hard on his rehab and getting himself right to play again. We’ll then discuss what happens from there.”

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/rugby-le ... ng-103857/