Super League

The two Super League sides who missed out on Hull KR’s newest recruit

by
Cam Pattison
May 13, 2023

Hull KR have announced the signing of former Leeds Rhinos academy player and current Bradford Bulls star AJ Wallace on a two year deal from the start of next season.

The club beat other Super League sides to his signature and took advantage of the fact that two of their rivals missed out on him last season including their biggest rivals Hull FC.

He stirred up plenty of interest from Super League clubs and a couple of sides chased his signature going into the 2023 season.

In Lee Radford’s quest to add young British players to his squad at the Jungle before the start of the season the now former Castleford Tigers boss made a move for Wallace to no avail.

As this fell away, it was Radford’s former club Hull FC who made a move for Wallace.

Many expected him to make the move to the MKM Stadium heading into the 2023 season however Serious About Rugby League exclusively revealed that the move had fallen through.

This came as talks between the higher ups at Hull FC and Bradford come to something of a stand still as they struggled to settle on a final agreement.

Now Hull KR have swooped in on the second-row to seal his signature.

Wallace was out of contract this year and therefore able to talk to Super League clubs about a move from the start of May meaning, unlike with Hull FC and Castleford, no release was required.

On the signing Willie Peters said: ‘We are pleased AJ will be joining Hull KR on a two-year deal from the 2024 season.

‘AJ is a powerful back-rower with good footwork and will provide a point of difference within our pack next season. He is a good defender and has proven himself in a highly-competitive Championship competition.

‘Next year will be the first time AJ has been part of a full-time environment, so we are looking forward to seeing him develop with us over the next two seasons.’

Speaking on his move to the Robins, Wallace was excited to get started with his new side next season: ‘I’m looking forward to joining Hull KR next season and testing myself in a full-time environment.

‘I spoke with Willie on the phone and we had a good chat on what he’s seen from me playing that he likes and what I can improve on to take me to that next level. It’s exciting to see what’s going on at Hull KR and I got that from my conversation with Willie and how he talks about the club. I can’t wait to get started.’

Alongside the positive buzz surrounding the Robins, Wallace spoke of his excitement to be linking-up with former Academy teammate, Corey Hall: ‘Me and Corey played together at Leeds’ Academy and kept in touch.

‘When I got linked with the move (to Hull KR), Me and Corey (Hall) had a joke over the rumours and car sharing to training. We could play on the same edge too, with me playing in the second-row and Corey playing at centre. It’s a really talented squad at KR and I’m looking forward to playing with them.

Ahead of his move to East Hull, Wallace outlined his focus on finishing strongly with the Bulls and ending the 2023 season on a high: ‘I’ve enjoyed my time at Bradford and I have a lot to thank them for.

They’ve been massive in helping me get to this stage of my career. I’ll keep working hard for the rest of the year at Bradford and hopefully go out on a high with them before linking up with Hull KR next season.’