ROCHDALE HORNETS coach Gary Thornton believes he has a “top-quality Championship frontrower” in Mark Ioane.
The 35-year-old New Zealander with both NRL and Super League experience has signed up for the 2027 season.
Ioane played ten times for Hornets this year after leaving crisis club North Wales, for whom he had made eleven appearances.
Before that he had spent three years at Keighley after earlier in his career representing Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons, London Broncos and Leigh.
“I’m really pleased to have Mark on board for another season,” said Thornton, whose side finished 15th.
“We were lucky to get him midway through the season due to the demise of North Wales, and the value he adds was obvious.
“He carries tough and is a force in the middle. Backed up by some physical defence, it puts him up there as a top-quality Championship frontrower, respected by all in this league.
“But it is his leadership qualities which are also so important to our group. He’s a thorough professional with fantastic pedigree, and a great role model for our young forwards, who will learn a lot from the way he plays and conducts himself.”
Ioane, a former Junior Kiwis representative who was in the development system at New Zealand Warriors, added: “I have been welcomed by the club and fans, so I feel it’s the right decision to continue for another year and bring my experience into a young, ambitious group.
“I can’t wait to see us continue to improve and build into what we hope will be a really successful season.”
While prop Jordan Andrade has retired, Rochdale have signed frontrowers Samy Kibula from Swinton and Peter Scott from Leigh, where he has been playing in the Reserves.
