Lunt staying at Hull KR
Hull KR hooker Shaun Lunt has confirmed that he will be staying put at the club for the 2017 season.
The Robins look certain to dispense with the services of Albert Kelly and Terry Campese, but will remain full-time, according to chairman Neil Hudgell.
Lunt inked a new four-year deal just a year ago. Although that contract is void now, due to the club’s relegation, Lunt will be staying.
“It was always my intention to stay at the club next season should the worst happen and I’m pleased that everything has been sorted out so quickly,” he told the Robins’ official website.
“As far as I’m concerned, I was part of the team that got the club relegated and I want to be part of the team that gets the club promoted back up to Super League again.
“I’m loving my rugby here at Hull KR, they’ve really looked after me and I’ve been playing with a smile on my face again.
“Saturday was the most disappointing day of my career but it’s happened now and we can’t change that.
“We’ve got to be positive about the future and I’m looking forward to having a break with my family over the next few weeks and then coming back fresh for pre-season intent on having a good crack at the Championship next year.”
Rovers head of rugby Jamie Peacock is delighted that the dummy half is staying put.
“Shaun is a hugely important player for us and he was one of the players in the squad we were most eager to keep,” he said.
“He’s a consistent performer, a leader out on the pitch and a true professional off the field so to have him on board for 2017 is a really big boost for the club and hopefully several more of his teammates will follow suit in the coming days.
“Those discussions are on-going and they’ll take different amounts of time for each player depending on their circumstances and what plans they had with their families during the off season.
“We have a plan in place in terms of how we will go about assembling the squad for next season. The support of sponsors and the response from supporters to the launch of 2017 memberships has been reassuring and allows us to plan for a certain level of salary cap commitment next season.
“We’d like to keep a core of the side from this year and to have an international-class hooker playing for us in the Championship next season is a really good start.
“For the staff in the football department to take a voluntary pay cut next season also demonstrates their commitment to the cause and it’s important that we all stick together and do everything we can to bounce back.”
The club are currently beginning talks with players to establish a strong squad, with less central funding due to them next season in the Championship.