Rovers sign Vete on two year deal

Hull Kingston Rovers have announced the signing of prop forward, Albert Vete from Melbourne Storm on a two-year from 2021.

Vete, 27, came through the junior setup at New Zealand Warriors, making 46 first grade NRL appearances before moving to Storm in 2018, where he went on to play a further nine first team games.

On his move to the Betfred Super League, Vete said “Once I talked to a few people they convinced me it was the right move for me. I’m only 27 so I know I have a lot of footy in me.

“The reason Hull KR came about was my manager knows Tony Smith, so he got in contact with him and I spoke to Tony a couple of times.

“I’d been coached by his nephew, Rohan Smith, when he was at the Warriors. We were just talking footy and it got serious when the season finished."

“I caught up with Tony and he told me where the club was heading and he was pretty disappointed with the way the season went this year. He wants me to come and add value to the club and that’s what I’m hoping to do.

Tony Smith, Hull KR head coach said of his new signing "I’m delighted to have signed Albert, he’s a great acquisition for us next year. With what he can bring in terms of his playing ability, he’ll have some good impact for us.

"He’s really excited about the opportunity here. He’s wanting to further his career and he’s got a desire to represent Tonga again. I think having the Tongan coach [Kristian Woolf] based over here it will help him, especially if he plays well each week."