Peacock to play for Hull KR
Jamie Peacock has revealed that he is set to come out of retirement and play for Hull KR for the rest of the season.
The former Leeds Rhinos and England star is making the move due to the Robins’ crippling injury list.
“I’ll be coming out of retirement to play for however long is left of the season,” he told KR’s Facebook Live feed.
“I’ll be playing for Hull KR.
“We’re in a really tight spot as a club at the moment. What’s not helping is the amount of injuries we’ve had.
“We’ve picked up another three out of the Leigh game, and we’re absolutely down to bare bones at the moment.
“It’s not a decision I’ve made easily. I’ve sought counsel from people I respect in the game.
“Their opinion was ‘yes’, and, having trained this morning,my opinion is ‘yes’.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us in Super League. When I commit to do something, I commit to it fully.”
Peacock admits that it is only the Rovers’ current injury situation that has caused him to play again.
“Believe me, if we didn’t have this injury list, I would not be doing it,” he added.
“I was very happily retired, and had finished in the best possible way, but needs must at the moment, and I’ll do whatever it takes for us to stay up.”
The multiple Grand Final winning front rower, now aged 38, believes that his experience, rather than his physicality, is what the Robins team needs right now.
“You’re not going to get the player I was last year, physically,” he acknowledged.
“But mentally I’m still switched on. I know the game inside and out.
“I quite easily picked it up this morning in training, but you’re not going to get the same amount of minutes I was doing last year.
“But in short bursts, I’m sure I’ll be effective.”
It looks as though Peacock will make his Rovers debut this weekend against London Broncos, an event he knows could be a physically testing experience for him.
“It’s a funny question, because there’s no easy games playing prop,” he explained.
“You can win 6-0 and you still get battered. That’s what I’m putting myself forward for.
“I’m under no illusions how difficult it’s going to be as a player. I’m under no illusions that I’ll be the player I was last year.
“But I’m going to do whatever it takes for us to win.
“At the moment, we’re in such a tight spot, that the only answer I feel at the moment is to come out for 10 or 15 minutes each half, and add my experience in and around what is a young team.”