Hull KR

Hull KR new contract priorities after star man points to Challenge Cup win as reason for re-signing

by
Sam Cook
June 18, 2025

Fresh off the back of re-signing Tyrone May to a new contract, Hull KR should strike whilst the iron is hot and tie down some more off their stars, and we’ve picked out who they should be prioritising.

May was one of the few key players without a deal beyond the end of the 2025 season, however, that changed on Thursday with the former Penrith Panthers man extending his deal until the end of 2027.

In the statement confirming his new deal, May explained the recent Challenge Cup win to be a factor in his commitment to Rovers and Willie Peters’ side should be taking note and attempting to tie down more of their key men.

“Winning silverware helped at the weekend and made the decision to stay at Hull KR even easier,” explained May, and with those Wembley and the trophy celebrations at Craven Park last Friday fresh in the mind, Rovers’ need to target more extensions.

Who are the Robins’ immediate contract concerns?

In terms of those without a deal beyond 2025, three of the five players are fringe or youth players, whilst Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has confirmed his retirement, and Micky McIlorum is widely expected to follow suit.

New deals for the likes of 19-year-old Harvey Horne and 20-year-old Connor Barley could well be on the cards but you have to look towards the 2026 off-contract list to see some of the big names that the Robins should be looking to tie down.

On that list are four overseas players in Sauaso Sue, Peta Hiku, Rhyse Martin, and Kelepi Tanginoa, whilst those first-teamers hailing from England include Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, and Dean Hadley.

The likes of Jack Brown, Eribe Doro and Bill Leyland have all played significant minutes from the bench and should be looked at too but that initial group of seven are integral to the way the Robins play.

Who should Hull KR prioritise for new contracts?

We’ve not seen much of Rhyse Martin in a Hull KR shirt yet but he was a Dream Team player in 2024 and could well prove himself on his expected return against Wakefield at the end of the month.

Peta Hiku and Oliver Gildart have quickly become one of the best centre pairings in Super League whilst Joe Burgess has put himself in the frame for an Ashes call-up on the wing. Injury concerns will be a potential stumbling block for Gildart whilst age is a factor with Hiku, who would be 34 at the end of his deal.

Middle men Sauaso Sue, Kelepi Tanginoa and Dean Hadley are also all over 30 so the club may wait longer before pulling the trigger but forwards often play for longer and all three have proved pivotal in recent success.

With the likes of Sam Luckley, Tom Amone, Elliot Minchella, James Batchelor and Jai Whitbread all contracted to the end of 2027 or beyond, perhaps the Robins will be prioritising backs or even younger players.

Among those younger players, Eribe Doro looks like someone the club must make a priority, whilst Bill Leyland has also shone in limited minutes and will likely be required to play a bigger role in future years. Looking even further ahead, utility back Jack Broadbent, who is contracted until the end of 2027, could be someone who earns an extension given how pivotal he has been and the fact he could become heir apparent to either Hiku or Gildart.

Given that there are a whopping 15 players off contract at the end of 2026, Willie Peters will want to make his job easier by securing a handful of them to longer-term deals so that when December comes, rival teams can’t swoop for his off-contract stars.