Featherstone Rovers’ new signing Mark Kheirallah arrives after Toulouse Olympique dispute

New Featherstone Rovers signing Mark Kheirallah is in the house and raring to go.

The club posted on their Twitter page about the new arrival following his release from Toulouse Olympique.

The Australian born fullback had previously played first grade NRL for the Sydney Roosters before joining Toulouse in 2014, having previously spent a season with the French side in the Elite one Championship.

On joining the club, Kheirallah commented: “I’m really excited, it’s another opportunity to get promoted and gives me a purpose in life to play Rugby league.

“It’ll be interesting to see another perspective of the game, Brian McDermott’s achieved so much in the game so I’m really looking forward to working with him.  It’s another opportunity to live in a different country and to experience new things.”

“It was always nerve racking playing against Fev, a really competitive and physical team with some really smart footballers, I knew I had to be at my best to compete with them.  To have the opportunity to be part of that fear they place on other sides would be really beneficial and interesting.”

Asked what he’s bring to the club as a player, Kheiralah was clear; “I try to stay as consistent as possible; I try and do my job as best as I can.  I try to encourage the other boys to do their best.  I try to lead; I believe I’m a good leader and I come with a winning attitude.  I don’t like to lose, at all.”

Featherstone have clearly impressed Kheirallah who was full of praise for his new team mates; “The players that have been brought into Featherstone already this season have really impressed me, the likes of Joey Leilua and Ryley Jacks have come straight from the NRL, their experience will be invaluable, it’ll be interesting to play with them and learn from them; to pick their brains.  It shows the club’s determination to push for Super League because they’re some really good investments.”

Kheirallah has also been impressed with his new Head Coach;  “I’ve had a few conversations with Brian, we spoke for over an hour the other day on the phone, he’s got some opinions on the game and I’m looking forward to seeing that different perspective in person.  I’m relishing the change.”

The club’s CEO Martin Vickers was resolute in his views on competing for a place in next year’s Super League when commenting on the capture of Kheirallah;  “When we knew a player of Mark’s ability was on the market, we have moved very quickly to secure his signature.  We believe Mark will bring another dimension to our already strong squad and we look forward to him joining up straight away with us.  Yesterday’s game showed how close we are getting to the elite teams, we have to leave no stone unturned in reaching that level.”