Doncaster sign international halfback

Doncaster have strengthened further ahead of next season with the signing of Papua New Guinea international Watson Boas.

The 24-year-old has signed from Featherstone a two-year deal, after spending most of last season on loan at the Dons.

During that spell, he scored an impressive nine tries in 17 games and has now earned a permanent contract.

Boas has represented PNG seven times, including their 2017 World Cup campaign, and will be part of their squad for this weekend’s World Cup 9s.

“It’s great to have signed a permanent deal with the Dons, the club made me feel at home from the moment I joined on loan,” he said. “Richard Horne and Carl Hall made it clear that they wanted to keep me here, and that made it an easy decision to stay.

“While my focus now is on doing well for PNG, I am already excited about returning for pre-season and having a really good year in 2020.”

Doncaster head coach Richard Horne added: “I’m really pleased to have Watson joining us on a permanent deal for the next two years.

“His ability to play in the halves or at hooker makes him a key player for us and he showed last season how much his pace can hurt teams.

“He settled into the group really well and speaking with him he is ready to push on and improve even further with us next year.”

Boas becomes Doncaster’s fourth new signing for 2020, joining Sam Smeaton, Jack Logan and Harry Carter at the Keepmoat Stadium.