Exclusive: Dane Chisholm reveals why he couldn’t stay at Hull KR & the role Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith played in his career

When most people think of Dane Chisholm they think of the fantastic rugby he played at Featherstone Rovers pushing the club at the top of the Championship and helping them to 1895 Cup Final glory at Wembley in 2021.

He’s now begun endearing himself to the fans of Keighley Cougars helping them secure promotion to the Championship and will again be at the club in 2023.

However, his first appearance in the UK came for Hull KR back in 2015 though only for a brief stint at the end of the campaign.

Chisholm revealed when speaking exclusively to Serious About Rugby League that he would have liked to have stayed but wasn’t able to due to the nature of his contract:

“I was given an opportunity to come and play for Hull KR. At the time I was at the Canterbury Bulldogs and wasn’t being given a chance in the NRL team.

“I’d played in the NSW Cup competition for about 5 years, so I thought I’d come test myself in the UK.

“My coach at the time, Des Hasler, allowed me to come over on a loan deal, but one of the conditions was I had to go back to the Bulldogs the season after.

“I would have loved to have stayed in England after my first taste of Super League.”

Chisholm revealed that the same situation occurred in 2016 with now Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith giving him a shot at Odsal: “That next year I was in the same situation with not playing in the first team and luckily enough Rohan Smith gave me an opportunity to come back to the UK and play for Bradford.”