At the minute but things change. Reading between the lines I always thought they were still in the market for an Aussie half back even with Abdull signing, wasn’t expecting Cust but thought they’d have gone for a fringe Aussie player.

Purely speculation but I wonder if Trueman has had an offer or at least interest from elsewhere. It’s well documented by the owner himself that he’s a huge earner and 2025 will be the last year of his deal. As things stand I’d say it’s unlikely he’ll be offered the same deal, and we have form for letting players in this situation look for a longer term deal elsewhere, like we did with Sneyd and Connor.

Possibly the most logical explanation though is still that they just want cover because of the injury records of Trueman and Abdull, which let’s be honest would be very sensible.

Only problem I've got with Cust is the quota spot. He's a committed player who gives his all but I'd prefer to sign a British 9/6.

Weird signing better off using a quota spot elsewhere. FB, centre and another starting forward should be priority for me. Would have preferred to keep Reynolds, go with Bourouh, Balmforth, Smith and Hodgson/Hutchinson at hooker.

I see your point but to have a player as cover is a complete waste of a valuable spot.

If Cartwright has signed Cust, so be it. I’ll trust him and his expertise. We have to.

I wonder if Ligi Sao, could be removed from the quota ,IF this new ruling comes into effect.
He arrived in the UK late 2019, so the 5 year rule for UK citizenship would kick in about 6 months time.

Done deal for Cust.

Personally think it's a good signing. He's a quality player and you only have to read how highly he was thought of at Wigan and praised for his professionalism. Just unlucky with French and Smith ahead of him and also unlucky with injuries but hopefully he can have an injury free season next year. In JC (not Clarky) we trust.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ne-9384232

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ne-9384232

Cust is a decent signing, was well thought of at Wigan and Cartwright knows him.

People taking about Reynolds should remember he's not a free agent, he's contracted to Rovers until the end of 2025.

We seem to have a lot of spine players signed for next year and still looking for a full back. I expect cust will play hooker and walker and smith move on. Lack of outside backs is a worry currently so hopefully more quality to come there.

I don't mind Cust as a player but just seems a strange move to sign him as a backup (which he might not be).

Absolutely desperate for a quality centre, it's easily our weakest area.

If we sign a quality overseas centre and an attacking fullback, then I'm OK with Cust, if we go with Carlos, Hardraker and Chamberlain I'll be very disappointed with the Cust signing.

With positive hat on, better than Rimba. Much better than Smith and for all the talk of being back up (including me, he will start as hooker if fit, with the other two hookers fighting for a bench spot.

Good needed cover for halfback too.

Couldn't agree more Dave. So long as we have at least one other quality centre and second row lined up it's been a pretty good turnover of players for year one of a rebuild. It's certainly a better squad than last year. As someone else has eluded to, Salford are a good example of what can be achieved with perceived lesser players and a good coach.

2nd row I don't think we are too bad, Holmes, Cartwright, Lane, Staveley and Jebson. Depends on how good Cartwright is I suppose.

Could we get Sao off quota with the new rules?