Hull KR youngster Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e heads to League 1
Photo: Will Palmer/SWpix
League 1 club Rochdale Hornets have signed young full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e on a two-week loan deal from Super League side Hull KR.
The 19-year-old is the son of former Samoa international Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e, who currently plays for League 1 club Keighley Cougars.
Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e has signed a two-week loan deal with the Hornets, following in the footsteps of Leigh winger Jy Hitchcox who also joined earlier this week.
Rochdale chairman Andy Mazey said: “We are delighted to bring in Phoenix and add some more X-factor to Matt’s options.
“He’s an exciting, young, full-time player who amassed a selection of highlight-reel performances in League 1 last year. He has since been developing in a quality full-time environment at Hull KR.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to Paul Lakin, my colleague at Rovers, for allowing this deal to happen – welcome PLT.”
On signing Hitchcox, Mazey said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring a player of Jy’s quality to Rochdale Hornets.
“Matt has been keen to strengthen his backline options and you only need to look at Jy’s try-scoring record in Super League and the top end of Championship to appreciate how big of a coup this is for Hornets; and the League 1 competition as a whole.
“I would like to personally go on record and thank Chris Chester and Derek (Beaumont) at Leigh for their support on this one.”
More on Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e
Laulu-Togaga’e was born in Brisbane and came over to England when he was seven when his father signed for Sheffield Eagles.
QLT scored 183 tries in 218 appearances for the Eagles followed by spells at Toronto Wolfpack, Castleford and Keighley, where he played alongside Phoenix last season.
Quentin has since returned to Championship club Sheffield on loan from Keighley. PLT will have the chance to take on his old team Keighley when the Hornets make the trip to Cougar Park this Sunday.
Meanwhile, Hull KR have also loaned young half-back Adam Rusling to League 1 club Cornwall RLFC. The 18-year-old has previously spent time in the academy at Castleford.
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