Blair stays with Hull KR

Hull KR utility Maurice Blair has committed his future to the club after agreeing a new contract with the Robins.

The ormer Penrith, Melbourne and Gold Coast player has followed in the footsteps of hooker Shaun Lunt by pledging his future to the club following relegation to the Kingstone Press Championship for 2017.

Blair has agreed to a one-year extension to his original contract with the club, meaning he will now stay at the Lightstream Stadium until at least the end of the 2018 campaign.

The 32-year old was a consistent performer in both the back row and halves for the Robins last season, going on to pick up the inaugural Roger Millward Player of the Year Award at last month’s event at the Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel.

Hull KR’s Head of Rugby Jamie Peacock said: “Bobby is a man of real loyalty and integrity and he was on board straight away when we opened discussions about next season.

“To retain our reigning Player of the Year is a real statement of intent ahead of 2017 and for Bobby to agree to a longer term contract with the club than he initially had is tremendous commitment from him also.

“We have the opportunity now to reshape the squad slightly for next season but it’s important that we also plan ahead beyond 2017 and securing another key player for the next few years provides much needed stability moving forward.

“Bobby’s impact on the field is obvious with his consistency and ability to cover a number of positions, but off the field he is also a dependable professional who buys into what playing for Hull Kingston Rovers is all about.”