Rovers sign Kenny-Dowall

Hull Kingston Rovers are delighted to confirm the signing of NRL Grand Final winner and two-time Four Nations champion Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

The 31-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the Robins and joins Tony Smith’s ‘Revolution’ for 2020, becoming the third new signing after Dean Hadley and Jez Litten.

With almost 300 appearances in the NRL for Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights, the outside-back arrives at Rovers with a huge amount of experience, both on the domestic and international stage.

Securing Four Nations success with New Zealand on two occasions, Kenny-Dowall spoke exclusively to hullkr.co.uk after signing on the dotted line until the end of 2021.

“It’s a huge honour to be coming over to Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. I know that the club is steeped in history and I’m really looking forward to joining the Rovers,” Kenny-Dowall said.

“I’m excited to be experiencing a new competition over in England after so long in the NRL.

“I love the way the Super League is played and for myself, it’s a new challenge to move out of my comfort zone of the NRL and step into a different arena and test myself on the other side of the world.

“I’ve always wanted to tick that box in my career and I’m very grateful to Hull KR for giving me that opportunity.”

Scheduled to arrive in England in late October to begin pre-season training in early November, Kenny-Dowall is excited to be working with Rovers head coach Smith across the next two seasons.

Speaking of how the move came around, he added: “I spoke to a friend of mine who tipped me off that Hull KR might be interested and from there I kept in contact with Tony Smith.

“Speaking to Tony, and knowing the direction that he wants to take the club, really excited me. I’m over the moon to be part of it now.

“I see the great relationships that Tony has had with different clubs and the players involved and I’m a really big fan of his philosophies. I’ve spoken a lot to him about the way that he likes to coach and I’m really excited at the prospect of working with him.

“We both want to make Hull KR a competitive force in the Super League again and that was a big, significant reason that I wanted to sign at the club.”

Head coach Tony Smith added: "It is fantastic that the club has been able to bring someone over with Shaun’s experience - it is important for us to maintain those high standards, in terms of people with experience, with what they can bring to the table.

“The 2020 squad is largely going to be a young and enthusiastic side. We have lost a couple of experienced players, and it’s vital that we regain that mix. We’ll be maintaining those high standards by bringing in somebody of Shaun’s calibre."