Brad Schneider was one of the signings of the season in 2023 with the half-back arriving mid year to invigorate Hull KR, and now the Australian playmaker has explained how the move came about.
Schneider’s arrival on Humberside was shrouded in confusion and mystery with the half having been released from Canberra Raiders and the Robins then signing him.
It was finally revealed that the deal was a short term deal until the end of the year but that should Canberra have a half-back crisis then KR would release Schneider, who would then return to the Raiders.
The deal seemed to be based on hand-shake style agreements with new head coach Willie Peters clearly utilising his Australian links, and it was a deal that proved incredibly successful for both player and team.
Just days after arriving Schneider helped guide the Robins to a win over Leeds Rhinos in which he kicked the winning drop goal, whilst he then did the same in the Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan just a fortnight later.
Schneider immersed himself in Robins history in doing so, becoming a cult hero on Humberside and having now earned himself a move to three time consecutive NRL champions Penrith Panthers, he’s explained exactly how his whirlwind 2023 season happened.
“My manager got a call from Hull in July saying they needed a halfback,” Schneider told Fox Sports, explaining: “I was in shock when he told me but a week later I was on the plane to England.
“I didn’t really have any time to think about it. It was pretty much him saying that I’ve got a good opportunity over there, and I thought it would be a good chance for me to go over there and see what happens.”
The opportunity had presented itself with the Robins having huge issues in their spine, full-back Lachlan Coote being forced into retirement and starting half Jordan Abdull side-lined long term. With the UK market lacking, Rovers looked overseas and struck gold with Schneider.
Schneider continued: “I always said I wanted to go over to England and play over there, and to do it so early in my career has been a massive benefit.
“It’s probably one of the best things I’ve done. I definitely recommend it to other players, especially as a halfback and how young I was, to go straight in the team and be a leader helped grow my confidence massively. I think my leadership changed more than anything.
“I was straight into a team that needed a halfback, but there were two ways I could have gone about it.
“I could have been really quiet and just been there for the ride, but I said to myself that I’m here to do a job, so I took the opportunity with both hands.”
He helped guide Rovers to within minutes of a Wembley win and also helped the side to their best finish in Super League since 2009. Such achievements have seen him rightfully earn a role in the NRL where he’ll serve as Nathan Cleary’s back-up.
