Former KR stars with point to prove in 2021
Hull KR left 13 players behind at the end of last year as they reshaped their squad for the 2021 season. Rovers will come up against at least six of those players in Super League this year, with Weller Hauraki still on the lookout for a new club.
Here, the Mail takes a look at the 12 players who will be out to prove a point after already finding a new home.
Robbie Mulhern - Warrington Wolves:
The 26-year-old moved on after five years at Craven Park and is arguably the biggest loss, although his departure allowed the Robins to sign Brad Takairangi in addition to Luis Johnson.
Mulhern is coming into his prime years as a prop and will be desperate to prove he belongs at the top of the game.
His battles with KR’S new frontrowers have the potential to be blockbusters.
Ryan Brierley, Jamie Ellis, Matty Gee, Nathaniel Peteru - Leigh Centurions:
The former Rovers quartet are back in Super League sooner than expected after Leigh got the nod to replace Toronto Wolfpack.
Wounded former players can be dangerous and Tony Smith’s side will have to be on their guard in their clashes with Leigh, a side littered with ex-robins.
On their day Brierley and Ellis can hurt any side in Super League, while Gee caused Rovers problems during his time with London Broncos and Peteru is an awkward customer.
Harvey Livett - Salford Red Devils:
The back-rower has a different kind of point to prove after a disappointing second loan spell at Craven Park. Livett failed to build on a strong start to the 2020 campaign and struggled badly in the second half of the year with his mind potentially elsewhere after already agreeing to join Salford over KR.
The 24-year-old also struggled with illness just before the restart and he will be determined to get his career back on track this year.
Mitch Garbutt - Toulouse Olympique:
There was a fear that the injury-plagued prop would miss a big chunk of 2020 and that proved the case.
The Australian played in only eight of KR’S 19 games and was below his usual standards, which convinced the club to do a deal with Toulouse midway through the year.
Garbutt’s challenge will be to stay fit and show he can still have a big influence, with a promotionchasing club the perfect place for him to do that.
Dan Murray - Halifax Panthers:
Murray is another player who failed to produce his best rugby in 2020, with the front-rower not offered a new deal by KR.
He will be striving to get back into Super League with Halifax and at 24 his best years are still ahead of him.
Kyle Trout - Limoux Grizzlies:
The 29-year-old recently joined Elite 1 Championship side Limoux, although he is still awaiting the green light to travel to France.
It is a long way back to Super League for Trout but, like Garbutt, he will be looking to leave his mark on foreign soil.
Adam Rooks, Elliot Wallis - Bradford Bulls:
Neither player got a look-in at Rovers under Smith and will serve their apprenticeships in the Championship after only a brief taste of Super League.
Wallis has made the move on a season-long loan but the winger is out of contract at the end of 2021 and there is little prospect of him returning to Craven Park.
Will Oakes - Dewsbury Rams:
The 21-year-old is another youngster who moved on at the end of last year after failing to make an appearance under Smith.
Oakes showed some promising signs after breaking into the first team and he will look to draw on those experiences as he works his way back to Super League.