Replacement for Masoe remains Robins’ main priority

REPLACING MOSE Masoe remains Hull KR’s biggest recruitment “priority” for 2021 – and head coach Tony Smith says all players coming off contract will have ample time to prove their worth.

Although the financial impact inflicted by Covid-19 has left many clubs uncertain about squad plans for next year, it is inevitable for them all that work must be done, something that is particularly true for the Robins who lost their experienced former St Helens and Samoa prop Masoe to a career-ending spinal injury in January.

They signed former Leeds Rhinos and Gold Coast Titans frontrow Nathaniel Peteru on a shortterm deal in March, only for the pandemic to shut the sport down before he was even able to make his debut.

“In terms of recruitment, we’re on the lookout for someone to replace Mose, whoever that is,” said Smith.

“That’s our priority at this stage. Somebody with size would be good. While there’s a number of people around at the moment – and being offered around for the future – I think we’ve got to fill our priority before we can look at other positions.”

A number of players in the NRL have recently been made available for this season or 2021 but nothing currently fits the bill in terms of filling the sizeable hole left by the sad loss of their inspirational co-captain.

The East Yorkshire club also has plenty of players out of contract at the end of this season who, understandably, are keen to get their futures sorted.

Smith says once the sport resumes, probably in August, they will get chance to pick up from where they left off and demonstrate their quality.

“All our players who are off contract understand they are playing for contracts when they return,” he said.

“And they are in no different position to where they were after seven matches; we probably weren’t in a position to make a decision on them after seven matches and the same applies now. They need a few more games and some form and – as I’ve said to each one of them – the sooner they get into good form, the sooner we can make a positive decision on their future with us.

“The sooner they do that the sooner they’ll have a contract offer from us or someone else.”

Meanwhile, England prop James Graham has confirmed he will be coming back to Super League with immediate effect to finish his career with St Helens.

Graham, 34, left Saints in 2011 to initially join Canterbury Bullodgs but has spent the last three years with the Dragons.