HULL KR have signed South Sydney Rabbitohs prop Salesi Ataata on a two-year deal.
Ataata becomes Rovers’ third off-season signing ahead of the 2027 season, following in the footsteps of Moala Graham-Taufa and Eddie Hampson.
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Ataata played his junior rugby league with Otahuhu Leopards before continuing his development in Australia with Cronulla Sharks.
The front-rower progressed through the Sharks’ pathway and featured during the club’s NRL pre-season before joining South Sydney ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Ataata has featured regularly in the New South Wales Cup and earned selection to South Sydney’s extended bench without making an NRL debut.
The prop has made 22 NSW Cup appearances during the 2026 season, averaging over 100 running metres per game while producing 38 tackle breaks and 31 offloads.
Speaking on joining the Robins, Ataata said: “I’m excited to represent a club with so much history like Hull KR.
“I’ve heard so much about the fans and how passionate they are, so I can’t wait to pull on the jersey and make the club and the fans proud.”
Hull KR boss Nathan Cayless added: “Salesi is a powerful six-foot-three middle. He’s a former centre who’s transitioned into the front row, so he’s powerful, fast and bends the line every time he carries the ball.
“He moves very well defensively and that’s one of the key reasons I was attracted to him as a player.
“I’ve coached against Salesi on numerous occasions, and he’s someone who consistently pops up in our video previews as one of the opposition’s most dangerous players.”