Hull Kingston Rovers have announced the signing of former Australian international and State of Origin playmaker Terry Campese for the 2015 campaign.
The ex-Canberra Raiders skipper has penned a one-year contract at the KC Lightstream Stadium and will become the club’s 13th new signing for Super League XX subject to receiving the necessary paperwork.
An experienced half back who has captained the Green Machine for the past three seasons, the 30-year-old has racked up more than 100 appearances in the NRL as well as earning representative honours with Australia, New South Wales and the Country Origin side.
Set to add both leadership and creativity to a young Rovers squad next season, Campese told www.hullkr.co.uk he’s excited about joining the Robins and is determined to prove himself to the club’s supporters.
“I’ve been at the Raiders my whole career but it’s time to move on. This is a new challenge for me and one I’m really looking forward to,” he said.
“Looking at all the squads over there, ours is one that is strong and can definitely compete with the top sides but I’ve done a fair bit of research on Hull as well and it’s a place that I think I’ll like.
“I’m excited, I can’t wait and I’m looking forward to experiencing the Super League competition. My main goal is to try to help the club to go up the table and improve on where they finished last season.
“Leadership is something that I pride myself on and I love working with the younger players. I’m sure that will still be the case at Hull and hopefully we can have a successful year and challenge for that top eight position.
“I’ve signed up for one year which was a big thing for me. I’d like to stay longer than that as I feel I’ve got some good footy left in me, but it’s down to me to prove that. I want to come over there, play the best football I can and hopefully be successful with Hull KR.”
Capable of playing at stand off or scrum half, Campese made his Canberra debut in 2004 and has also had a big impact off the field in the Australian capital, receiving the Ken Stephen Medal last year in recognition for his community work with the Raiders and raising more than $300,000 for local charities via his own Terry Campese Foundation.
Hull KR head coach Chris Chester added: “Terry is a true professional who has played at the very highest level and he’ll bring a wealth of knowledge to the squad next year.
“We’ve lost a bit of experience from last season and it was important we brought in players with leadership qualities to complement a young and exciting crop of players at the club. Alongside the likes of Mick Weyman and Ryan Bailey, Terry will be a real leader for us. He’s a great organiser who can guide us around the park and he’s also got an exceptional long and short kicking game.
“It’s no secret that we’ve been in the market for a hooker and while we haven’t quite been able to get a deal over the line, we’re more than happy to run with what we’ve got in that position and bringing in a playmaker of Terry’s calibre was an opportunity we couldn’t afford to pass up.
“He gives us some strength in depth and competition for places in the halves and his experience will take the pressure off Albert Kelly in particular and free him up to play his natural game.”
