Hull FC sign Raiders' Rapana for 2025

Hull FC have revealed the the signing of Jordan Rapana from Canberra Raiders for the 2025 Betfred Super League season.

?? There's a new Kiwi in town in 2025 ??

Welcome to West Hull, JR ?

???? #COYH | @ecostrad pic.twitter.com/iwsEujMcp7

— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) September 11, 2024

The experienced NRL back is the club’s seventh new recruit ahead of the new campaign, signing a two-year deal to keep him at the MKM Stadium until the end of the 2026 season.

The 35-year old former Kiwi international has over 210 senior appearances under his belt in Australia and has been a prominent figure for the Raiders over the past decade.

An experienced representative player also, Rapana has ran out 19 times on the international stage, 3 times for Cook Islands and 16 times for New Zealand, appearing at three Rugby League World Cups.

Rapana, who is equally capable of featuring at both wing and centre, adds to several exciting options amongst FC’s backs in 2025, alongside fellow new recruit Zak Hardaker, and young talents Logan Moy, Lewis Martin, Davy Litten and Harvey Barron.

The Wellington native, who has Maori, Cook Island and Italian heritage, began his senior Rugby League career with Gold Coast Titans in 2008, scoring five tries in five games in an impressive start to life in the game.

Rapana had a period away from the sport between 2009 and 2013, including a spell playing Rugby Union with Super Rugby side, Western Force.

Rapana returned to league at the end of the 2013 season, representing Cook Islands in the Rugby League World Cup, before signing for the Raiders ahead of the following season.

During his decade with the club, Rapana has become the Raiders’ tenth highest appearance maker of all-time (214), their third highest try-scorer for all-time (106), and holds the record for scoring the most tries in a single season with 23 scores in 2016 - a season in which he aided Canberra to a second-placed finish.

Rapana was a key cog in the side that helped the side reach their first NRL Grand Final in 25 years in 2019, going down narrowly to Sydney Roosters.

The powerhouse back has picked up accolades throughout his career, including being named New Zealand’s Rookie of the Year in 2016, the Dally M Winger of the Year in 2017, and the Raiders Player of the Year in 2021.

2025 won’t be Rapana’s first visit to the MKM Stadium, having represented New Zealand in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup Quarter-Final victory over Fiji in West Hull, scoring a try and kicking five goals.

Speaking to hullfc.com, Rapana said: “I’m really excited to get over there with the fans and I’m looking forward to getting coming over to start winning some games," he said.

“What was key for me was the fact that John Cartwright gave me my debut at the Titans, so him signing for Hull FC was a big tick in the box for me signing for the club.

“I’ve always enjoyed a challenge, and I think that playing in Super League will be a challenge. It’s a tough, physical league, but that’s what I build my game on, so I’m really keen to come over there and give it a crack.”

On making the move to East Yorkshire, he added: “I know the city pretty well because I’ve stayed there with the Kiwis a couple of times before.

“I’d say of all of the cities in England, it’s probably the one where Rugby League dominates the most. The people from Hull - they live, breathe and sleep Rugby League!

“I know that historically, Hull FC are a strong Rugby League club. They’ve got an awesome fan base, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Hull FC’s Director of Rugby Richie Myler, said: “We’ve got a really promising crop of young backs coming through at the club currently, and adding a player the calibre of Jordan Rapana is the perfect role model for them to look up - an experienced competitor who has performed at the top level of the game for over a decade.

“Jordan has been an incredible leadership figure for the Raiders, and we’re hoping he can bring some of those qualities to us in 2025 and become one of our own leaders.

“We are delighted to have Jordan as part of our journey over the next couple of years and we’re confident he will help us define our identity as a club moving forward.”