Albert and Ryan will add a bit of grunt to our team, says head coach Smith

TONY Smith is confident new signings Albert Vete and Ryan Hall will add much-needed grunt to his Hull KR side.

Rovers have made a positive start to their recruitment as they set about improving their squad after a hugely disappointing 2020 season.

Vete adds considerable size to the pack, while Hall is one of the most powerful wingers of the modern era.

“It’s almost like signing a forward when you sign Ryan,” Smith told the Mail. “He’s 105kg and gets you on the front foot early on. He can get your team rolling forward and help the forwards in a big way. I’m delighted with that.

“Albert is a big man also. We needed to add a bit of grunt to our team and I’m pretty confident both those boys will help us in that respect.”

Both players have left successful clubs to join Rovers, with Vete playing a role in Melbourne Storm’s run to NRL Grand Final glory and Hall involved in Sydney Roosters’ title-winning campaign in 2019.

Smith believes Vete and Hall will help drive standards at Craven Park.

“They’re coming for the right reasons,” he said.

“They understand where we are as a team and as a club and they’re both really keen to help us make a difference and get up that table.

“They’ve both been involved in really successful teams and that’s a real shot in the arm for us.

“They’re experienced and have come from good programmes, which is going to help us enormously.

“If you get enough of those people who have been there and done it and seen how it should work, it helps the culture we’re developing here at Rovers.”

While Hall needed no introduction to KR supporters following his exploits for Leeds Rhinos and England, the signing of Vete sparked Google and Youtube searches for many.

The Tonga international is a no-nonsense and direct prop but Smith insisted there is much more to Vete’s game than running and tackling hard and trying to get a quick play of the ball.

“He’s got a nice pass as well,” said the Rovers head coach.

“He’s not one-dimensional, that’s for sure. He’s got skill to his game.

“I’m excited about working with him and he’s looking forward to coming over and making a difference to us.

“It’s a chance for him to get more game time so it helps both ways. He’s a really mature guy who is very articulate when he speaks and is able to get his messages across well.

“He’s looking forward to developing himself and the others around him as well. I’m excited by both those signings.”