How Hull KR could line-up in 2024 with impressive recruitment drive well underway
Peta Hiku (left), Tyrone May (centre) and Oliver Gildart (right) have joined Hull KR ahead of 2024 - Alamy
Hull KR are well underway with their recruitment drive for 2024, with head coach Willie Peters building a strong squad for next season.
The Challenge Cup finalists have already announced five signings for next season already in the shape of Oliver Gildart, Peta Hiku, AJ Wallace, Tyrone May and Niall Evalds.
Hiku is a statement signing, with Peters earmarking the New Zealand international as a direct replacement for full-back Lachlan Coote, who unfortunately had to retire prematurely from the game earlier this season on medical advice.
Hiku, who has penned a three-year deal with KR, enjoyed a short but impressive stint in Super League in 2017 with Warrington, scoring 10 tries in 11 games for the Wire.
The 30-year-old’s talents are undoubted, given the fact he has won 17 caps for the Kiwis, represented his country in the last two World Cups and has made 200 appearances in the NRL.
It’ll be interesting to see how Hiku goes at full-back for the Robins, he’s no stranger to the role but has played most of his career at centre.
Gildart in for the retiring Kenny-Dowall
And the signing of England international Gildart will be a like for like replacement for captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
Kiwi icon Kenny-Dowall has been nothing short of exceptional during his four seasons with the Robins, and will retire as one of Super League’s greatest overseas signings.
Gildart, who has recently returned to England with Leigh for the rest of the season, has spent the past two years in Australia, and although he didn’t played as much in the NRL as he’d have liked, his talent can’t be questioned.
He’ll be hoping to compete for international honours again during his time with the Robins, and he knows what it takes to win silverware having won two Super League titles with hometown club Wigan.
Versatile Niall
Earlier this week, KR announced the capture of Evalds from fellow Super League side Castleford on a two-year deal.
It was interesting to see Peters highlight Evalds’ utility value in his comments, which could lead to Evalds starting the season on the wing. The England international has played most of his career at full-back for Salford and Castleford, but is familiar with the wing role.
And with Rovers winger Ethan Ryan linked with a move to Salford in 2024, according to Hull Live, could Evalds also be a familiar replacement for Ryan? Time will tell.
Come what May
Samoa international May will make the move to Craven Park from current Super League table toppers Catalans Dragons ahead of next season.
May can play in a number of positions, which when injuries kick in during the season as they do with every team, he will certain come in handy.
In our predicted line-up, we’ve put him on the bench because he could come on at half-back, loose forward or centre if injuries occur.
Reggae Warrior gets Super League shot
A shrewd signing for the Robins is AJ Wallace, a Jamaica international who has been a highly-rated forward in the Championship for a couple of years now.
The 20-year-old back-rower, who represented his Jamaican heritage in last year’s World Cup, has been a consistent performer for Bradford over the past two seasons.
He’s got a bright future ahead of him, and although he might have to bide his time for his chance at Craven Park, there’s no doubting he’s got the tools for a bright career with Peters’ side.
How Hull KR could line-up in 2024
Our new weekly feature series is looking at how every Super League side could line-up in 2024.
The first part of the series was analysing Wigan Warriors and with the Robins having seemingly done most of their recruitment for next year, we thought it was suitable to look at how they could line-up next.
Earlier this week, The Tryline did a similar tweet in regards to the Hull KR line-up earlier this week, and ours is pretty similar, but we’ve got a couple of positional changes. This is how we think Hull KR could line-up next season…
1. Peta Hiku
2. Niall Evalds
3. Tom Opacic
4. Oliver Gildart
5. Ryan Hall
6. Jordan Abdull
7. Mikey Lewis
8. Sauaso Sue
9. Jez Litten
10. George King
11. James Batchelor
12. Kane Linnett
13. Elliot Minchella
Bench
14. Matt Parcell
15. Tyrone May
16. Rhys Kennedy
17. Sam Luckley
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