Will Smith becomes man in black and white
Hull have confirmed the signing of former Gold Coast Titans utility Will Smith for the rest of the 2022 season.
Smith, 30, will head to the UK immediately, subject to international clearance, to bolster the Black and Whites play-off hopes.
He has made more than 80 appearances in the NRL for the Titans, Penrith and Parramatta.
Coach Brett Hodgson said: “We’re excited for Will to join us for the rest of the season, it isn’t often a player of his calibre comes available at this time of the year.
“He brings NRL pedigree and real versatility at an important stage of the season for us, especially at 6, 1 and 9.
“It adds depth to our squad for the business end of the year and a player of good experience having represented the Indigenous All Stars, as well as being a senior leader at his previous clubs.
“He is competitive and energetic and is someone who has always put the team first wherever he has been, so we’re looking forward to him getting started.”
Push for the play-offs
Smith previously played alongside new Hull team-mates Manu Ma’u and Kane Evans in the NRL.
After playing regularly at stand-off or hooker for Gold Coast in the early parts of the season, he was granted a release on compassionate grounds back in June to return to New South Wales.
He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to get back playing some footy at a high level and to try and help Hull FC get to the semi-finals.
“My priority recently had to be my family, but they understand my desire to get back playing and they have given me their blessing to head to Super League for the next few months.
“I have heard very good things about the club and the people there, I know both Manu and Kane very well, so I’m looking forward to lining up with those guys again and doing my bit for the team.
“It’s a talented group of players at Hull, they’ve been doing it really tough recently but hopefully I can bring something to the group and when we get a few more players back on the field we can have a real push for the finals.”
Smith is the latest fresh face at the MKM Stadium, following the loan arrivals recently of Jack Walker (Leeds), Josh Simm (St Helens) and Ellis Longstaff (Warrington).
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