Super League

Matt Parcell commits to Hull KR despite “genuine NRL interest”

by
Cam Pattison
May 14, 2022

A few weeks ago it seemed like it was a done deal for Matt Parcell with regards to a return to the NRL and former club Brisbane Broncos.

However, he has now completed a u-turn on the matter signing a two year deal at Hull KR which will keep him at the club until the end of 2024 two seasons into new coach Willie Peters’ initial three-year deal at the club making Parcell a bedrock for the side going forward and their new era.

Parcell joined the Robins midway through 2019 as Leeds swapped him for Shaun Lunt to open quota space for the arrivals for Rob Lui and Rhyse Martin. This was less than 24 months after winning the Grand Final with the Rhinos, being named in the Dream Team and setting a new record for tries in a season from a hooker.

He’s enjoyed plenty of success at Hull KR being central to their Super League semi-final appearance last season and looks set for more now he’s committed to the club despite what Chief Executive Paul Lakin claimed was “genuine NRL interest.”

On signing a new deal, Parcell told the club website: “The club’s been brilliant to me since I’ve been here. The group of guys we have, it’s a joy coming to training and getting to play with them every week. I’m really enjoying where I’m at.

“I had a really good chat with Willie Peters the other day, it was good to speak to him on how he doesn’t want to change too much about my game and how he wants the team to play. He’ll have his spin on it and then add what he wants from the team.

“He (Peters) really enjoys my running game and he wants to keep that going, that’s a big thing for me. I think that’s when I play my best and what I excel at, that’s where Tony (Smith) has been brilliant with me too.

“The last couple of years have been quite tough with covid and not seeing the family for a while. But, after speaking to Willie (Peters) I was really excited by the chat and his vision for the team so that made my decision a lot easier.

“Since I’ve started at the club, it’s progressed a lot on and off the field. I think to continue to be part of that is brilliant. Going into last year we weren’t a team many were thinking would be at the top of the table. But, internally we were really confident. It’s a really good group of guys, we all play for each other and we all love each other’s company.

“While we’ve made a lot of progress on the field, off the field has been just as strong. The club’s in a really good spot and the fans are awesome, they deserve success and hopefully, we can bring that.”

Chief Executive, Paul Lakin added: “Matt has played an integral part of our progress over the last couple of seasons and he’s an important player in our continued development. There was genuine NRL interest, so we are delighted that Matt has committed to a further two years.”