Terry Campese joins Hull KR
Hull Kingston Rovers have confirmed that experienced halfback Terry Campese has joined them pn a one-year deal ahead of the 2015 campaign.
The 30-year-old, who becomes Rovers’ 13th close season signing, and joins, subject to the necessary paperwork, from NRL outfit Canberra Raiders, for whom he has played over 100 games.
“I’ve been at the Raiders my whole career but it’s time to move on. This is a new challenge for me and one I’m really looking forward to,” Campese told his new club’s official website.
“Looking at all the squads over there, ours is one that is strong and can definitely compete with the top sides but I’ve done a fair bit of research on Hull as well and it’s a place that I think I’ll like.
“I’m excited, I can’t wait and I’m looking forward to experiencing the Super League competition. My main goal is to try to help the club to go up the table and improve on where they finished last season.
“Leadership is something that I pride myself on and I love working with the younger players. I’m sure that will still be the case at Hull and hopefully we can have a successful year and challenge for that top eight position.
“I’ve signed up for one year which was a big thing for me. I’d like to stay longer than that as I feel I’ve got some good footy left in me, but it’s down to me to prove that.
“I want to come over there, play the best football I can and hopefully be successful with Hull KR.”
Campese is also looking forward to linking up with other new signings in Chris Chester’s squad.
“I’ve been looking at all the squads over there and ours is one that is strong and can definitely compete with the top sides,” he said.
“I’ve been watching Super League for many years now and there’s a lot of ex-NRL players and good mates of mine playing over there.
“Looking at our squad, Maurice Blair has been at a few clubs and he’s been a big competitor over here in the NRL.
“Albert Kelly was vying for the Dally M Player of the Year with the way he started the season last year. He was on fire.
I’ve been playing against those two my whole career and I’m looking forward to being alongside them at Rovers.
“We’ve also got the likes of Ken Sio, Josh Mantellato and Mitch Allgood coming in from over here so it will be good to have some familiar faces when I get across to Hull.
“I can’t wait to meet everybody and get the combinations going straight away.”
Despite looking forward to adding leadership and experience to the Robins squad, Campese is also aware that he will need to fight for his place in the starting line-up.
“I’ll be speaking regularly with the conditioners and making sure I’m replicating the things the lads are doing over there until I get to link up with the squad,” he explained.
“Leadership is something I pride myself on but my main goal is to try to help the club to go up the table and improve on where they finished last year.
“Hopefully we can have a bit of fun along the way but I’ve got to fight for my position first. I want to get over there, build some combinations with some players I’ve never played with before and also with Chris and the coaching staff too.
“I’m excited to learn from those guys and really build as a club. Personally, the Challenge Cup and the structure of the comp over there is exciting for me.
“To play at Wembley would be a dream come true but first things first, we’ve got to build the squad and hopefully hit the ground running.”
Hull KR head coach Chris Chester is pleased to have added such an experienced player to his group.
“Terry is a true professional who has played at the very highest level and he’ll bring a wealth of knowledge to the squad next year,” he said.
“We’ve lost a bit of experience from last season and it was important we brought in players with leadership qualities to complement a young and exciting crop of players at the club.
“Alongside the likes of Mick Weyman and Ryan Bailey, Terry will be a real leader for us. He’s a great organiser who can guide us around the park and he’s also got an exceptional long and short kicking game.
“It’s no secret that we’ve been in the market for a hooker and while we haven’t quite been able to get a deal over the line, we’re more than happy to run with what we’ve got in that position and bringing in a playmaker of Terry’s calibre was an opportunity we couldn’t afford to pass up.
“He gives us some strength in depth and competition for places in the halves and his experience will take the pressure off Albert Kelly in particular and free him up to play his natural game.”