Former Leeds Rhinos hero Ryan Hall signs for Hull KR
The former Leeds Rhinos star, who will turn 33 later this month, has signed a two-year contract.
The move reunites him with coach Tony Smith, who gave him his Leeds debut in 2007.
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Hall made 281 Super League appearances for Rhinos from 2007 to 2018, scoring 196 tries, before moving to NRL club Sydney Roosters.
He won the Challenge Cup twice with Leeds, being named man of the match in the 2014 final and scored the last-second try which secured the league leaders' shield the following year.
Hall said: “I loved my time over in Australia, it was a great experience for me and my family, but I’m back to more familiar territory now, back in England and Super League.
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Hide Ad“I started off under Tony Smith, he gave me my debut at Leeds and then again with England and also he’s going to hopefully give me my debut for Hull KR as well.
“It’s pretty cool and familiarity is a comforting thing, so as long as I get settled in as soon as possible I can get back to playing my best rugby.
"With my relationship with Tony and Danny McGuire, that should come pretty easily.”
Smith predicted Hall will be an asset across the field.
“It’s so crucial now to get on the front foot and get going forward and sometimes it needs to be the outside-backs who get that to happen," he said.
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Hide Ad"That’s an area we wanted to strengthen; we are still ambitious to sign more forwards at this stage, but at the same time, a man of Ryan’s size at 105kg, it’s almost like signing another forward.
"His power is going to be a really big asset for us to get us on the front foot, plus he’s got that try scoring ability that everyone’s seen."
Smith added: "Ryan had a number of choices in front of him and he has chosen us, so we are delighted about that.
"I’ve worked with him before and the amount he’s learned from his NRL experience since is enormous.
"Roosters head coach Trent Robinson speaks of him highly.
"He’s going to bring a wealth of experience to us.
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Hide Ad"He has bought into the concept of improving our programme and he’s got a strong desire to pass on his knowledge to others.”
Hall is nearing the end of his career, but Smith insisted: "Anyone who knows Ryan will know he takes care of himself unbelievably well; he’s in really good condition, he’s got a body younger than most.
"He’ll be a real asset to us and I’m delighted that he’s decided to join us to be part of our rejuvenation.”
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