Why star signing turned down NRL offers in favour of Super League

Hull KR have made three impressive signings from the NRL going into 2023 including star centre Tom Opacic.

A major recruit who scored in Hull KR’s friendly win over Leeds Rhinos last Sunday, he opened up on why he joined the Robins in 2023 revealing he turned down NRL offers to make the move to Craven Park.

He told Serious About Rugby League: “I always wanted to try my hand in Super League, it’s something I’ve looked over to and something I thought I would enjoy. Then obviously Willie coming over was a big plus, having someone to talk to in the same situation of coming over and knowing he’d spent a bit of time here previously helped.

“I actually had a few options to stay in the NRL, I was probably more inclined to stay but when Willie got the job he wanted to bring me with him so it was probably only Hull KR that was an option to come here.”

He has also laid down a marker in saying that he and the Robins will be chasing the Super League trophy.

He said: “I haven’t seen too much footage of the other teams but I’ve said before you get people who say aspirations are top four. Well what’s top four to you really? You’re there to win, at the end of the year you want to be holding the trophy and that’s why we do a long pre-season and train really hard because that’s the goal.”

Opacic has taken the number three shirt at Hull KR in 2023 in a star-studded back line which could very well have the capabilities to push for Grand Final glory in 2o23.

Speaking to Brian Carney at the launch, Opacic said he wanted the club to be “the best” and said “if you’re not first you’re last.”