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Hull KR coach singles out pre-season star and hails NRL signing

The influence of NRL signing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at Hull KR has been discussed by assistant coach Shaun Kenny-Dowall who has also picked out one of the standout stars from their pre-season.

Kenny-Dowall was appointed to the role of assistant coach ahead of the 2025 season and he has just signed a contract extension meaning he will hold that role until at least the end of the 2026 campaign.

It marks a quick ascent from his role in developing academy players to joining Willie Peters‘ first-team staff but the Kiwi has a career full of experience to rely on.

The two-time Super League Dream Team centre was a high-profile NRL signing for Hull KR ahead of the 2020 season and he has now hailed the impact of the Robins’ latest NRL recruit – former Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside after confirmation of his new deal, Kenny-Dowall was asked about the arrival of his long-term teammate known as JWH.

“He’s found it a breath of fresh air,” Kenny-Dowall explained.

“The level of intensity that he has brought to the training sessions with his physicality and his attitude is just immeasurable.

“I think he’s really enjoying the journey and liked getting himself into a different environment to what he has been used to for the last 17 years.”

Hull KR signing ‘good for the game’ claims coach

- 18/12/2024 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League - Hull KR Media Day - Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull, England - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Waerea-Hargreaves arrives in Super League as one of the NRL’s most established and iconic players and a signing of such magnitude doesn’t just serve Hull KR but all of Super League, something that the Robins’ assistant coach echoed.

Kenny-Dowall said: “We’re all excited to see already what he’s brought to the squad but with the games around the corner, I think everyone in the rugby league community wants to see Jared play.

“I think it’s so good for the game, so good for the club and for the team in general to have someone of his calibre over here.”

However, the Kiwi also emphasised the squad that Hull KR have built and their aspirations as he explained: “He’s only a small part of the cog that is Hull KR and there is already a lot of expectation about where we want to end up this year and how we finished last year.

“He’s just a small cog but what an addition. He’ll be doing everything he can for the team.”

JWH joins a forward pack that already has some of Super League’s finest players and one of those players has been training the house down and leading by example according to Kenny-Dowall.

When asked about his pre-season standouts, he revealed: “They all have but it’s really been the senior boys, the skipper has been unreal. Mini (Elliot Minchella) and all those boys have really come onto another level and are working above and beyond to go one better this year.”

Hull KR fell short against Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final in 2024 and they’ll start their march to Old Trafford in a month’s time when they host Castleford Tigers.

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