Hull KR's most pressing contract issues as vital December date nears

Hull Kingston Rovers' most pressing issue in terms of retention will be dealing with players' contracts that expire by the end of the 2025 season. That will be especially important this year because, from the earlier date of December 1 2024, players with a year left will be free to negotiate with other clubs for 2026.

Hull KR's overall success, with many players going in and out in recent times, has been a key factor in their evolution into finishing as Grand Finalists this year. There are big-name arrivals at Rovers who have only signed for the 2025 season - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Michael McIlorum. Their progress will be interesting to monitor in the early stages of 2025, with the hooker turning 37 on January 10th and the prop turning 36 on January 20th. But there are other younger players, who have already served Hull KR well for some time, whose futures need to be looked at.

As Rovers look to build on that success next year, here is a look at key men whose deals are expiring at the end of 2025:

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Niall Evalds

Rovers' first-choice full back, 31, signed on a two-year deal from Castleford Tigers ahead of the 2024 season, with the deal announced in summer 2023, as the club looked to build on coach Willie Peters' impactful first season in charge. Injuries had affected him at his former club but he has become a regular for the Robins and a vital part of their attacking methods.

Tyrone May

Half-back May's two-year contract with Rovers from 2024 was announced just a few weeks after the Evalds deal was confirmed in summer 2023. The experienced 28-year-old arrived with NRL Grand Final winning pedigree and recent excellence in Super League with Catalans Dragons. Played an important role in 2024 with play-making attacking moments and defensive qualities.

Jesse Sue

Samoa-capped Sue, 32, had spent a decade in the NRL when he was recruited by the Robins from Newcastle Knights. In a three-year deal announced in July 2022 to commence from the 2023 campaign, the forward was expected to be a hard-hitting, hard-running presence and he has delivered.

Dean Hadley

Forward Hadley, 32, arrived back in 2019 with Jez Litten from Hull FC, initially signing deals until the end of 2022, at a time when Mikey Lewis was recalled from his loan with Newcastle Thunder. In July 2022, it was extended by another year as he impressed incoming Peters. Then in April 2023, Hadley signed another two-year extension - and was Players' Player of the Season in 2024.

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