Rugby League news: Hull FC in battle for NRL player, Tyler Dupree hits back at Salford

Hello and welcome to Friday's Rugby League Live blog. The big story this morning is Hull FC's interest in Connor Watson, with the Black and Whites putting in an offer for the Sydney Roosters player.

We also have a piece on Salford Red Devils prop King Vuniyayawa, who has been refused entry into France after flying with the team to Perpignan, and an exclusive interview with Tyler Dupree.

Elsewhere, we have all the reaction to Hull FC's defeat in Huddersfield, with Hull KR gearing up for their game against Castleford Tigers. As always, stay with us for all the rugby league news and features throughout the day.

Matt Parcell's warning to Hull KR teammates

With only eight games of the regular Super League season to play, Hull KR's Matt Parcell knows each contest is a cup final, with the race for the top six hotter than ever.

As it stands, Rovers, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, Salford Red Devils, Warrington Wolves, St Helens and Wigan Warriors are all realistically in a battle for a playoff spot. Of course, some teams are in stronger positions than others, but this crazy season is far from over and on their day, anyone can beat anyone.

Tyler Dupree sheds light on Salford Red Devils exit

Tyler Dupree has lifted the lid on his Salford Red Devils exit, revealing he had agreed to sign a contract extension less than two weeks before being sold to Wigan Warriors.

The England prop has signed a four-year contract with the Warriors after Salford accepted a club-record fee for the 23-year-old forward. That came less than two months after the Reds had informed interested parties, including Wigan and Hull KR, that he wasn't for sale.

Hull FC look to hold off eleventh-hour NRL raid to land top target Connor Watson

Hull FC have put a contract offer on the table for Sydney Roosters utility player Connor Watson and, in fact, were very confident they had the deal in the bag before a late surge from another NRL club.

Hull Live understands that the Black and Whites pulled out all the stops to make the signing happen and were very close to securing the player, but they now face some late competition to do so.

Tony Smith blasts Hull FC attack in honest assessment of Huddersfield defeat

Tony Smith has criticised Hull FC's attack following their disappointing 19-12 defeat to Huddersfield Giants on Thursday night. The Black and Whites struggled to get a foothold with the ball, only posting two tries in the game.

Those tries both came in a ten-minute period where Hull were a threat in the first half, but after that, they didn't ask many questions, with Huddersfield grinding their way to victory.

The defeat was all the more frustrating given what was at stake, with Hull missing the chance to go level with the top six, but for Smith, it was more about how the side went away from the plan and what they had practised all week.

"Regardless of where we sit and what's left, it hurts; it's a game of rugby league, and you want to perform well," Smith told Hull Live post-match. "We didn't perform well."

Salford Red Devils forward dramatically refused entry to France for Catalans trip

Salford Red Devils have suffered another setback ahead of their trip to Catalans Dragons after prop King Vuniyayawa was refused entry to the country. Rugby League Live can reveal the Fijian, who was one of only three recognised props in Paul Rowley's squad for Saturday's game, has flown back to the UK.

It is believed that Vuniyayawa made the trip to France but due to an administrative issue, was not permitted entry. It is thought the Reds will not be able to resolve the issue before Saturday and as a result, they have now continued their preparations without him.

Paul Rowley had only been able to name a 19-man squad for the contest and now they are down another man, leaving them severely depleted for the contest. Tyler Dupree and Ellis Longstaff both departed the club earlier this week and it was decided not to play Brad Singleton after he arrived early as part of the deal that saw England international Dupree head to Wigan Warriors.

The Reds are still battling it out for a play-off spot despite a run of five straight defeats, only outside the top six on points difference. They face the daunting trip of taking on the league leaders and their ferocious pack, a difficult enough challenge without the added difficulty of being without the required number of middles.

Castleford Tigers' quota situation explained after Albert Vete's loan exit

Castleford Tigers have opened up another quota spot after Albert Vete was loaned to League 1 outfit Doncaster. The former Hull KR prop has been sent out after a frustrating first season with the Tigers, who are continuing to shake-up their squad.

The Tigers have made three overseas additions in recent weeks, signing Billy Tsikrikas, Liam Horne, and Charbel Tasipale. Now, however, they have the ability to go out and get another. Though Vete is under contract for next year, any quota player loaned out no longer takes up a spot while they are away from the club. As a result, Vete's move to Doncaster means the Tigers are now in a position to make another overseas addition.

If they do that and, more specifically, who they use it on, remains to be seen. Cook Islander Kayal Iro has been a player of interest and the Tigers were thought to have agreed an arrangement with the New South Wales Cup player of the season, but Cronulla were not willing to grant him a release as of late last week.

The Tigers do have until August 4th to land any further signings as they gear up for their relegation battle with Wakefield Trinity.

Hull KR hangover fears can't be realised with win only option to mount top six pressure

Hull KR are back in action tonight, five days after their heroic Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Wigan Warriors. Facing them this evening is Super League strugglers Castleford Tigers, who head to Craven Park desperately needing a victory to pile the pressure on rivals Wakefield Trinity in the hunt for top-flight survival.

Hull FC need key facets fixing in order to keep season alive

Hull FC were defeated by Huddersfield Giants 19-12 on Thursday night. Here, Hull Live looks at some talking points.

A disappointing defeat

That was a hard pill to swallow for Hull FC, who suffered a blow to their play-off hopes at the John Smith’s Stadium. Defensively, they were sound for large parts in a tight and tense game; they showed grit and effort, and they scrambled to stay in the contest, but in attack, they left a lot to be desired.

They didn’t play a smart game or an intense game, and by Tony Smith’s post-match account, they actually deviated away from what they’ve been practising this week. That was disappointing in itself; the sounds of raising the bar and finding a more energetic performance fell flat when it mattered most on the pitch.

With the ball, Hull were far from the required standard. They’ve got to be much better than that and ask more questions of the opposition, not just on last plays, but throughout their sets. They didn’t do enough of that on this occasion.

Tony Smith confirms double Hull FC injury blow including compound fracture

Tony Smith confirmed a double Hull FC injury blow following their loss to Huddersfield on Thursday night. The Black and Whites lost both Cam Scott and Liam Sutcliffe in the second half, with the head coach giving an update on both players.

Hull FC verdict as play-off hopes pegged back

Hull FC's play-off push took a major blow in West Yorkshire with Huddersfield Giants grinding their way to a 19-12 victory. The Black and Whites were flat for the majority of the game, lacking the spark they talked about pre-match in what was an eleventh league defeat of the season.

A third consecutive win keeps the home side's slim top-six hopes alive, and in the meantime, seriously dents Hull's who showed effort and grit, but ultimately not enough quality or zip in a costly defeat.