Shaun Kenny-Dowall explains stunning transfer of Kiwi icon and former team-mate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to Hull KR

Shaun Kenny-Dowall believes his former Sydney Roosters and New Zealand team-mate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is the sort of person the game needs - after their regular chats led to the latter's stunning transfer to Hull Kingston Rovers.

Former Hull KR captain and current development coach Kenny-Dowall also believes that his former team-mate's early arrival in England this week highlights the mentality and intent of the superstar prop as he makes the move to Super League.

Explaining how the transfer happened, Kenny-Dowall said: "Willie (Peters, head coach) planted the seed. He is a great admirer of Jared, watching him from afar and seeing the way that he plays and he loves his mentality and the way that he presents himself on the field. I knew that from conversations with Willie. He knew we were tight.

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"We had a few beers and then mentioned it to Willie and one thing led to another. He could have stayed in the NRL but I think it's a good time. He's still playing great footy.

"In my chats with Jared, I explained the journey we have been on at Hull KR and that there are some great people behind the scenes, and we want to do well for the badge and the people of East Hull.

"Jared knew about the success that we have had and the journey we have been on, the Challenge Cup final, the Grand Final. When you are doing well on and off the field, it's easier to have those conversations with people. There's definitely the attraction of what the club is doing and the direction that it's heading."

Discussing what the player offers, Kenny-Dowall said: "He is one of the best front rowers in the last 10, 15 years. He epitomises what a front rower is and should be. He's the leader of the pack. I think it's great for the game here. People would have watched him from afar but they get to see it first hand. These are the sorts of people we need to get over to put bums on seats and generate that interest and grow the game. The more we can get characters and presences like Jared the better.

"It's a credit to him, he is here three weeks before pre-season. That just shows. Some overseas players don't come here until January. But that's his mentality. He is here and willing to do whatever it takes, he is getting all the information and he will be ready to go come the first day of pre-season to have that impact that we are all expecting him to have.

"I wouldn't have recommended him if I didn't think that he was going to have that attitude. I know that's the kind of person he is. He is a winner. And that's why he's been able to achieve the things that he has. He is meticulous with his preparation. I am sure this period at Hull KR will be no different for him and he'll want to have great success here.

"The results speak for themselves with him over the years. How many times have the Roosters missed the finals and how many times has he spearheaded success and been the main man? He is a winner and I'm sure his time here will be no different.

"He's won three Premierships with the Roosters and played over 30 Tests for New Zealand - but it's the manner in which he has done it. The physical, mental toughness to be able to consistently perform at that level is what's so impressive. He leads by his action, the presence that he has. Who wouldn't want to follow someone like him?"

Kenny-Dowall and Waerea-Hargreaves were at Sydney Roosters together from 2010 to 2017 which included being in the 2013 NRL Grand Final winning team together, which was the club's first Grand Final win in more than a decade. Kenny-Dowall was a try scorer in that win over Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

Speaking about how their friendship grew and how Waerea-Hargreaves is as a man, Kenny-Dowall said: "We played in the same club team for many years. Day in, day out, you are slogging your guts off together and working towards a common goal. And being away from New Zealand and away from your family and having the same background, naturally we connected.

"We've won a Grand Final together with the Roosters, we had some great success. And we also represented our country and our roots. We pulled on the black and white jersey many times together, and travelled the world together.

"We've seen each other grow as men, and now we've got families, and it's been an awesome journey together. We had successes together and we've got that mutual respect for each other.

"He is a hard worker, he is a very determined person, very mentally tough and very physically tough as well. On the field, he is a tough, aggressive man but off the field he is one of the nicest genuine people, and those are great values to have as a person and as a friend.

"He is one of the best I've seen at bringing people together. He's humble. He is out-going and funny and rallies people together so he'll bring the best out of everyone and push towards the same direction. There's no better person to introduce to the group to take us to that next level.

"There are so many elements of life in the UK - like the fans here - that are going to be so good for his family to be able to experience first hand.

"It's been awesome just to catch up and see his family. Time and distance really doesn't change things when it's such a good friend. To spend quality time with him now and knowing he is just around the corner, you cherish that. There's excitement and the common bond that we have, to do business, to get stuck in."

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