We’re not looking at easy options, we’re looking long-term
MCGUIRE EXPLAINS ROVERS’ RECRUITMENT POLICY FOR 2021
HULL KR will not be taking the “easy options” as they recruit for the 2021 Super League season, with Danny Mcguire hoping to add quality to the squad in the coming weeks.
Rovers have finished bottom of the pile this year, ending their campaign with only three wins from 17 games.
Ten players will leave the club at the end of November, including Mitch Garbutt, Weller Hauraki and Nathaniel Peteru.
Those departures free up three overseas spots and Mcguire has confirmed the Robins are looking to fill their quota.
“I speak to Australian and English agents regularly and I don’t want to sound dismissive of players here but quality-wise it’s tough,” KR’S head of recruitment told the Mail.
“We want to stray away from easy options and short-term options. We want to look longer term.
“There’s irons in the fire at the minute that we’re hoping to get tied up in the next few weeks. Hopefully there will be some good news to come in the coming weeks.
“At least a couple of those quota spots will be taken up. I can’t say too much but there’s lots of things going on.
“We’re definitely not just resting on it. We’re searching, we’re looking and trying to get the best quality of player and person for the club.”
Of the players on out of Craven Park, forwards.
Unsurprisingly, the Robins are looking for some big bodies to beef up the pack.
“That’s the priority,” said Mcguire. “Obviously losing Mitch Garbutt, Mose (Masoe), Weller and others, we need a bit of size.
“George King came in towards their way eight are the back end and played pretty well. He’ll be better for a preseason and will be like a new signing for us next year.
“We’re definitely looking to add a couple of middles.”
The KR squad underwent major surgery at the end of last year, with as many as 14 new faces arriving in addition to the mid-season signings that stayed on.
But Rovers are going for quality over quantity this time around.
“Last season was crazy,” added Mcguire. “I don’t think you’ll ever see another season like it with players retiring - some even retiring mid-season - and so many players leaving.
“It was pretty much a brand new squad this year. We’re looking for a bit more stability.
“We’ve got some good younger players in there and it’s about marrying up the ambition to promote from within with some top-end quality.
“That’s the big challenge and we’re determined to get that right.”
Recruiting during a global pandemic brings a different kind of challenge, namely attracting players from overseas at a time when Rovers are struggling on the field and off it financially.
“It’s hard,” Mcguire admitted. “I think we need to be realistic at Rovers about where we are at the minute.
“If somebody from overseas looks at the table and you’re sat bottom you’re not as attractive as somebody contending for the play-offs and Grand Finals. That’s a challenge.
“Everybody knows Rovers have got a great reputation and are well thought of over in Australia but financially is the biggest one when it comes to competing with the money that’s in the NRL and some of the Super League clubs as well.
“That’s the challenge but we’ve got to take it on and get the best person and player in for the club that we can.”