Opacic would be real statement of intent from Peters’ Robins
If Hull KR can land Parramatta Eels centre Tom Opacic, it would be a real statement of intent by the Robins to bring in an established NRL star with plenty of years left in him.
Opacic would be a fantastic addition to this Rovers outfit, and he is a player who could genuinely light up Super League.
Still, he does come with some baggage, as the Parramatta Eels star underwent two shoulder reconstructions in the space of a month during the summer of 2017, but he does look to have put his rotten luck with injuries behind him.
He has bags of NRL experience and time on his side, two qualities that are hard to find when Super League clubs are recruiting from down under.
Born in Redcliffe, Queensland, Opacic was a member of the North Queensland Cowboys’ 2020
NRL Nines winning squad and has scored 23 tries during his 73-game career.
Opacic could be the catalyst to add some real firepower to the Rovers’ right-hand side, an area many of the club’s supporters have demanded to be improved upon going into 2023.
The left-hand side of Hull KR generally picks itself when fit, with the trio of Ryan Hall, Shaun Kenny-dowall and Kane
Linnett creating a formidable edge over recent years.
The emergence of Frankie Halton is also an option on the left, as the former Featherstone man is looking to nail down the second-row spot in the absence of the injured Linnett.
But, it’s been the defence of the right-hand edge of the club that has always been an enigma to sort out and nail down a consistent partnership.
If Rovers have lined up with Crooks, Ryan, Takairangi, Keinhorst or Wood in the backline, the opposition has always found that flank to be a target area and exposed the right edge more times than not.
Opacic would slot into the right-hand centre spot, with Ethan Ryan being his likely winger as things stand. Ryan would also undoubtedly benefit from working with the Australian, and is definitely a partnership that could flourish over time. His efficiency in defence and leadership in the backline are what the right hand side is crying out for.
At this current stage, Ben Crooks is still yet to be offered fresh terms by the club, and if Opacic completes a move to Sewell Group Craven Park, the 28-year old’s time at Rovers could be coming to an end.
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