KENNEDY ON KR’S RADAR
ROBINS LEADING RACE TO SIGN BRISBANE BRONCOS’ PROP
BRISBANE Broncos prop Rhys Kennedy could become a Hull KR player in 2023, the Mail understands.
Rovers are believed to be considering a move for the powerhouse prop, who is off-contract at the end of the season.
It’s thought that the 27-year-old is keen on a move to Super League.
Rugby League Live reported in April that Kennedy’s representatives had offered him to Super League clubs, with the forward actively pursing a deal in the UK.
Salford and Warrington are understood to have shown interest but it’s Rovers who are believed to be in a position to sign the forward should they decide to make a move, with Kennedy keen to join the club due to his previous connections with incoming Robins coach Willie Peters.
The pair worked together during the prop’s time at South Sydney Rabbitohs, at which time Peters was acting as Wayne Bennett’s assistant, and Kennedy is attracted to the proposition of reuniting with one of his former coaches.
The move will largely depend on the futures of Korbin Sims and Albert Vete, the two existing Rovers props are off-contract at the end of the season.
KR currently use all seven of their quota spots and a move could only become a reality if one of their existing overseas players departs.
As it stands, it’s thought both Sims and Vete have been given their chance to earn themselves a new deal. Brad Takairangi is also off-contract at the end of the year.
Kennedy, 27, has played 43 times for the Broncos since joining from Canberra Raiders in 2019 and has crossed the whitewash once so far this year in their 34-14 victory over Canterbury Bulldogs.
After becoming a regular in 2021, the prop has found game time much harder to come by this season and has played just five games for the Broncos this campaign, having fallen down the pecking order in Kevin Walters’ side. Weighing 111kg and standing at 6ft 4in, Kennedy is they type of forward many fans would say they need, a no-nonsense forward who does the hard yards down the middle.
Peters has taken a close look at KR’S current squad and identified areas for improvement.
One aspect that stands out in Kennedy’s game is his productivity.
In defence, he is currently playing at a 94.7 per cent tackle efficiency rate and has only missed five out of 89 tackles he has made during his five appearances in 2022.
With the ball in hand, he has 125.1 post-contact metres during his five outings, with seven tackle busts to his name.
Wakefield’s James Batchelor is also expected to be joining the Robins in the close season in the recruitment drive for 2023.
Further signings are dependent on decisions made on the club’s existing players who are off-contract.