What next for unwanted trio?
WITH Hull KR bringing over Rhys Kennedy, Tom Opacic and Sauaso Sue in 2023, the Robins have completed their quota spots for next season, meaning the out-ofcontract trio of Albert Vete, Korbin Sims, and Brad Takairangi will be leaving Craven Park at the end of the year.
It’s no secret the Robins needed to head into a new direction with their NRL recruitment, and Willie Peters has made the right call to part ways with all three.
The focus now turns to where Sims, Vete and Takairangi will go after leaving Rovers.
We take a look at what the future may hold for the departing Robins.
Albert Vete
Many Rovers supporters still wanted the club to extend the prop forward’s deal, but Thursday’s news sealed the deal for the former Melbourne Storm man, who is now looking for a new club.
With Vete only being 29 and the fact his young children are settled and schooled in Hull, out of the three, he seems the most likely to stay in the UK.
A perfect fit for Vete would be Wakefield due to his living arrangements and several Trinity quota players out of contract this year.
If fit, Vete is worth taking a punt on, and teams like Salford, Toulouse and Super League hopefuls Leigh and Featherstone may be looking to bolster their pack with the Rovers forward.
On the latter two, it could be down to whoever is promoted at the back end of the year, as Leigh or Featherstone will be late to the recruitment party, whatever the outcome.
Brad Takairangi
Takairangi’s time at the club was over from the moment he pulled his hamstring against Castleford after three months out due to off-field issues.
The former Parramatta man came with the biggest reputation out of the trio but has flattered to deceive throughout his spell at KR.
Unless he has friends in high places, there’s no way Takairangi would land an NRL gig with his age and injury record, so he may be hoping to stick around in the UK if he wants to carry on his career.
Like Vete, if you’re looking for teams who would gamble on Takairangi, you can throw Wakefield and Salford into the mix, as well as Leigh, Toulouse and Featherstone.
With the French Elite One competition going from strength the strength, he and his family may also see that part of the world as a possibility.
Korbin Sims
Sims has found it tough on and off the field in the UK, with his young son living back in Australia. So you’d imagine the Fijian international being ready to head home and reunite with his family.
Unless Redcliffe Dolphins or a lower-end NRL side need squad players, expect to see him playing in the Queensland or NSW Cup in 2023.