KING RULES
I’m the Pele of rugby league & have travelled halfway around the world to HULL to show what I can do… it’s bloody unreal
Giant Samoan has made huge admission despite having football legend's name
NO-ONE can argue with the quality of the name of Hull FC’s new number 10 – Pele.
He may hardly have kicked a football in his life but if Franklin is anything like his namesake, there will be few grumbles in rugby league.
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The ball may be a different shape - the player’s body definitely is - but the Black and Whites hope their new man with the famous name can lift them in their bid to finally justify their fans’ expectations.
And he hopes to add another similarity other than the moniker, which is not his family’s original surname – brilliance.
Pele, who will also have his mother’s maiden name Poutasi on his shirt, said: “I’m aware of Pele but I’m not a big football fan. I just know he was one of the best players ever.
“I never played football when I was a kid. It wasn’t for me, there’s not enough contact!
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“I’ve no idea what Pele was like really, I’ll do a bit of research on him but growing up, a lot of football followers would bring it up and the connection with the name and number was made straight away.
“And kids and fans who’ve bought the shirts tell me about how they’re big football fans and can I sign the shirt.
“Pele’s not even the family’s original surname. My grandfather who was born in Samoa and a family member had the first name Pele.
“So when he moved to New Zealand and wanted to start his own legacy, so he took that name and used it as his surname. That’s what the name is now.
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“It’s just my immediate family who has that surname. As far as I know, Pele is just a coincidence. I don’t think football’s too big in Samoa.
“But it’s pretty unreal. It’s all fun and games.”
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Pele and Hull FC launch their bid to get to the next level on the night the Super League competition looks to elevate itself.
Every game being screened or streamed means further commercial opportunities and a genuine buzz around the sport.
New Zealand-born Samoan Pele, though, knows looking to the future will mean little when Tony Smith’s men face Willie Peters’.
And even though he is embracing life after moving from NRL side Cronulla, a crash course pre-season taught him some attitudes will never change.
Pele, 23, added: “Everyone’s been welcoming so far but they won’t be [on Thursday]. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most!
“It wasn’t too tough to decide to move. My fiancee and I felt it was the right place at the right time. We’re looking to really build our lives together.
“Coming halfway around the world while still young means we can experience things. It gives us time to mature as people, that was more intriguing for us than the rugby.
“Having a clear mind and head and enjoying my rugby again can pay off.
“And I’ve sampled Hull KR’s ground and their fans. I went to a game of theirs and had a little look, with a bit of banter with their fans.
“I stood out like a sore thumb but it was all fun!
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“The rivalry’s definitely there and players I spoke to at home talked about it – Mark O’Meley of Hull FC and David Tangata Toa of Hull KR.
“There’s no bigger occasion than it being the first game of the Super League season – it’s bloody unreal.”
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