In the latest of our ex-player feature interviews, we caught up with former Black & White fan favourite Fetuli Talanoa to discuss his memories of the 2016 & 2017 Challenge Cup Finals…
The winger, the club’s top overseas try-scorer of the Super League era, left the club mid-way through the 2019 campaign seeing his playing career come to an end due to a wrist injury which plagued his later seasons at the club. But the legacy that the Talanoa left will live long in the memory.
Immoratlised as one of only a handful of men in Hull FC history to own multiple Challenge Cup Final winners medals, the man that was offered a Rugby League lifeline by the club in 2014 after returning from the game due to illness while playing in the NRL – he paid his dues by playing a key role in both runs to the final, and a try of his own in the 2017 showpiece event at Wembley.
“We had a really tough run of games against Saints and Catalans going into the semi-final against Wigan, and that really laid the platform for us. Wigan were the in-form side at that time so to win that game really set us up with plenty of confidence going into the final,” Talanoa explains as he recalls his memories of Hull’s build up to their maiden win at the national stadium.
“The support we had that night was crazy and probably the best I have ever seen. I know Doncaster isn’t that far away but they were so vocal throughout and it really helped us get through that match. It was a night of real passion and you could see how much that win meant to them.
“Personally for me, it took me a few weeks to take in that semi-final win. The boys put so much into that victory. We obviously had to go back and concentrate on the league but Wembley was always on the mind and not too far away.”
Talanoa explained the emotion of walking out into an empty Wemblet Stadium the day before the final, before explaining the experience of entering the field on game day for the first time.
“Captain’s Run the day before gives you a moment to really take it all in inside an empty stadium. I stood there and thought about all the past big games that have been played out there on that turf, and thinking that you yourself could be part of Wembley history. It was good to gather my thoughts there the day.
“I had a million thoughts running through my head the night before. I was trying to distract myself by putting on some music. Carlos was my roomie and we were just telling jokes and trying to keep our mind off things, but then you’d get these moments of silence where we’re both thinking about the game ahead. It was hard not to think about the game but we managed to get to sleep at about 11pm – there were plenty ‘what-ifs’ running through my mind.
“Standing in the tunnel and walking out in front of 30,000 Hull FC fans was more emotional than anything else – for myself, I felt comfortable the moment I saw that support. It was a sense of being at home with having so many there. I wouldn’t say I was relaxed but the fans being so passionate and loud made it easier. You know when they’ve got your back like that, it gives you that extra motivation.”
Discussing his memories of the game itself, he continued: “We just had to play our game and just focus on ourselves. Warrington got off to a quick start but we knew if we stuck to our game plan, we would get them. Our aim was to target Chris Sandow and use Mahe Fonua in the air – we knew if we did that in the second-half, we’d have a real chance.
“The moment Sneydy kicks that 40/20 is a real game changer, and it switched the momentum for us at just the right moment. Off that field position, Mahe scores just like we wanted him to. The momentum never stopped from the moment he kicked that ball – it broke the ice for us and I think that was one of the key moments of the contest.
“When Sneydy puts that chip up in the air, I thought “Oh no, he’s kicked it straight out on the full!” I really thought he had shanked in, but then obviously Mahe gets up and pats it back inside and right then, I knew it was on. Shaully can sniff out a try from anywhere and he goes over – I’m just shouting, I can’t really remember what! I sprinted over from my wing to the the boys under the posts and the scenes in the stands were just unreal – what a moment.”
And Talanoa has clear memories of the moment Danny Houghton saved the game for the Black & Whites.
“Warrington has shifted back over to our side. Sandow bulleted the ball out to Currie and I thought we’ve gotta get some number in there or they’re gonna get us. We all slide up but he just bumped off Sneydy and goes for the line and my heart is in my mouth. But then out of nowhere, the man of the hour steps up and stops him. Nine times out of ten, Ben Currie scores that try. Danny didn’t have to be there – it was his 52nd tackle, but he gives those extra one percents we talk about all the time, and that’s why he was in the right place at the right time, and that’s why we’re having this interview right now. It was a truly historic moment in my life, and for that of the club.
“I just wanted to kiss him – he saved our bacon. I think he said “We’ve just got to hold the ball”. He had just made that tackle and he was the one trying to calm everybody down as there was still a couple of minutes left.
“The emotion of when that hooter went was indescribable. I don’t even think I was saying words, just screaming at the top of my lungs. To embrace your teammates in that moment was special. But the best moment for me was the moment we went over to the fans with the trophy – to see the looks on their faces and realise how much it meant to them was special – after years of trying, we’d finally got that Wembley win.
“The celebrations obviously went on for a few days after that and I remember getting the text from Radders telling me I was playing against St Helens on the Friday! We certainly enjoyed it.
Talanoa would once again be involved in the Hull FC squad that made the trip to Wembley 12 months later, this time getting his name on the scoresheet.
“Personally, my best memory from the 2017 final would be getting over for a try. I didn’t get the chance to the year before and I was telling Sneydy all week “You better set me up because I want a try at Wembley – give me one of those kicks and I’ll come down for you!” And that’s exactly how it played out – I had already rehearsed it in my head.
“It’s Wembley Stadium – a name and place known throughout the world so to score a try there was a dream come true and something I will remember for the rest of my life. I can still remember every little second of that play.
“Obviously there was still drama to come in that game in the final minute when it looked like Joe Burgess was going over in the corner, but I knew that pass was a mile forward. But I didn’t hear the call! But the moment I heard them call it back, I knew we were going back to back!
“The second time around, you could enjoy the occasion a bit more. Obviously the Wembley hoodoo was already off our back and there was less pressure. We knew we wanted to defend our title and make this a really historic period for the club. Good teams win titles but great teams defend them. We showed that 2016 wasn’t just a bit of luck, and we showed that by doing it again.”
On the 2017 homecoming parade at Hull City Hall, Talanoa said: “I walked out on that balcony and thought “Holy s**t!” I genuinely couldn’t believe how many people were packed into that square, even more than the year before. I felt on top of the world at that moment. You couldn’t even see the streets!”
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