Ex-Hull FC winger Fetuli Talanoa reflects on Challenge Cup success

This week, all eyes turn to the Challenge Cup semi-finals as Hull FC take on St Helens and Warrington Wolves face the Castleford Tigers.

A man who has had recent success in the Challenge Cup is ex-Hull FC winger Fetuli Talanoa. He made 128 appearances for the Black and Whites scoring 59 tries in his five years at the club, winning back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2016 and 2017.

The 33-year-old made his move to England and Super League in 2014, having spent seven years at South Sydney in the NRL before working for the local council in Woollahra. When he heard the news that Hull were interested in signing him, he jumped at the chance and never looked back.

“Heading over there I didn’t know what Hull was like. As for Super League, I had watched a few matches here and there, I had no idea what to expect. Getting there, I had a funny feeling that I felt quite at home and comfortable straight away. Everyone said this must be different to what you are used to which I understood, but I enjoyed my time at Hull. I do miss it”.

With his former club just one win away from another trip to Wembley, he reflected on his own experiences in the famous competition. “It is crazy to think back on my experiences. Whenever I hear about the Challenge Cup coming up, I get excited. Wembley is crazy and the fact I got to play there twice is amazing”.

Talanoa was heavily involved in Hull’s first-ever cup success. He saw his side play St Helens, Catalan Dragons and Wigan Warriors before edging out Warrington Wolves in a tight 12-10 encounter Wembley.

“Wembley 2016. That was probably the greatest moment in my rugby league career. To get down there, the odds we faced to get there and how people were saying Hull would never win at Wembley. The fans emotions after the game, the parade in Hull and the turnout were probably some of the greatest moments in my rugby league career. I still get goosebumps watching our first win, it wasn’t just the win it was the journey to get there”.

“Seeing the emotions of all the fans there- that is when it sunk in for me, and it is something I will always remember from that day. When that final hooter went, going round the crowd and seeing all of the emotions, the relief and happiness that game brought, is something I will always remember for the rest of my life. It was such a great feeling to be part of it”.

After winning the cup in 2016 retaining the trophy is even harder, but that is exactly what Lee Radford’s side did.

“The second year, everyone was saying that Hull winning was just a fluke but as players, we wanted to defend the trophy to prove that we are a good team. Getting back there the second time around, we knew what was coming in the build-up as it was still fresh from the year before.”

The following year saw Talanoa score underneath the Wembley arch; a dream come true for the Tonga International.

“We had practised our last tackle kicks all week. There was a moment where I saw it before it came, and I knew [Marc] Sneyd was going to kick to me. So I just jumped, and I felt like ‘I can see the ball and it is just me in the air here’.

“I caught it and I came down and I was like ‘I am going to score at Wembley, I’m going to score at Wembley’. After I put the ball down, I was just so happy that I could say ‘I scored at Wembley’ as that was one of my favourite moments of my footy career. I am still over the moon now thinking about that moment”.

With the semi-finals this weekend, Talanoa looked back at the two games against Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos in the last four of the competition.

“They are major games, a lot is riding on these big Semi-finals because it is knockout rugby, so you have to bring your best game or that is it. You have 80 minutes to put your best foot forward, so with these knockout competitions, you only get that one chance”.

Since retiring in 2019 and moving back to Australia, he still watches the Black and Whites and will be in support this weekend.

“They have got a network here that covers all sports. Some games you have to get up early for, but I am usually up early anyway. It is good that they televise the Super League and Challenge Cup now, as they are great games to watch. I will definitely be getting up early this weekend to watch the boys.”

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