New Hull FC signing to make New Zealand debut this weekend as Kiwis take on Samoa

Last week, Super League side Hull FC confirmed the signing of the 28-year-old on a one-year deal from NRL outfit Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Brown has represented his Samoan heritage in the last two World Cups but was called up to play in this autumn’s Pacific Championships for New Zealand, the country of his birth.

The half-back or hooker will pull on the Kiwis jumper for the first time on Saturday when Michael Maguire’s side face Samoa in Auckland.

Also making their New Zealand debuts on Saturday are Matt Timoko, Leo Thompson and Griffin Neame, and they’ll be captained by NRL Grand Final winner James Fisher-Harris.

The Christchurch-born dummy half has made 56 appearances in the NRL for Cronulla Sharks, Canterbury Bulldogs, Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights.

Brown also enjoyed a spell in England with Featherstone Rovers 2021, making 27 appearances for the Championship club.

Brown, who has eight Samoa caps to his name, said he wants to ‘stamp his name on Super League‘ in 2024 after his signing announcement with Hull.

“I’m really privileged to be joining Hull FC,” Brown said when his move to Hull FC was announced.

“Something I have always wanted to do throughout my career is to stamp my name on the Super League competition, and I’m just so excited for the opportunity.

“I’ve watched a fair bit of Super League on TV whilst I’ve been in Australia and I kept up with it whilst I was at Featherstone in the Championship. The fans over in England are crazy!

“I’ve had a really good chat with Tony Smith (head coach) and we just clicked straight away. To be honest, we didn’t chat about footy that much.

“It was mostly about life away from footy and he said that if everything is looking after itself off the field, then you’ve got a good chance of performing at your best on the field. I think that’s part of having a successful team.

“I said to Tony, wherever you put me I will do a job and I’m willing to die for the club whose colours I wear on my back.”

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The hooker – also able to play at loose forward – joined the Black and Whites from Warrington Wolves in the early stages of the 2022 season, with a two-year deal reported by FC at the time, which would have seen him through until the end of 2024.

It would appear that may not have been the case though, with the club today confirming a 12-month ‘extension’ to Balmforth’s stay at the MKM Stadium for 2024.

Having made four senior appearances for Hull last year under then-boss Brett Hodgson, including a try-scoring debut against Toulouse Olympique, and he now pens the new deal on the back of a year in the Championship at dual registration outfit Newcastle.

Showing his versatility, the Leeds-born ace featured at half-back and in the back-row as well as in his preferred hooker role as he made 26 Thunder appearances and scored six tries in a struggling team.

Upon signing his new deal with FC, Balmforth said: “I’m just buzzing to have my future secured for 2024. I think it’s testament to how hard I’ve worked since I joined the club a couple of years ago.

“I’d say 2023 is the year I’ve turned from a boy into man, playing week in, week out up at Newcastle. It’s been a massive opportunity for me to challenge myself in the Championship and it’s just made me hungry to play in Super League for Hull.

“I’m making a lot of sacrifices and working incredibly hard behind-the-scenes at the minute to make sure I’m in the best possible shape for 2024, so I’m really excited for what the future holds.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to bear the fruits of my hard work in the near future.”

Hull boss Tony Smith discusses Denive Balmforth

The 20-year-old also has representative honours for Yorkshire Academy, putting in a Man of the Match showing against Lancashire last year.

Airlie Birds head coach Tony Smith opted to send him up to Newcastle this term rather than having him on the fringes of the first team squad at Hull, and doesn’t regret that decision.

The veteran boss added: “Denive certainly got what he needed out of 2023, and that is playing as much footy as possible.

“He increased his game time and he increased his fitness, which was really important. He’s come on a lot and has really benefited from that experience, which we’re looking forward to him bringing into pre-season.

“Denive still has some developing to do in the early stages of his career. However, what I would say is that he is very committed to his fitness, which is a credit to him, and it is up to him to take this opportunity now and grab it with both hands.”