10 November 2023 , 17:32
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Rhys Kennedy wants to prove a point with Super League new boys London and put to bed his sudden Hull KR exit.
The big Australian prop has become the Broncos’ third new signing following their shock promotion from the Championship. Ex-Brisbane front-row Kennedy, 29, will certainly add plenty of punch to Mike Eccles’ pack. But the move comes after he was surprisingly ditched by Rovers just 12 months into his two-year deal at Craven Park.
Kennedy played 26 times for Willie Peters’ side including starting in their Challenge Cup final defeat against Leigh at Wembley in August.
But with the East Yorkshire club keen to bring in fellow Aussie prop Jai Whitbread from Wakefield for 2024, he was ruthlessly cut last month to make space on their overseas quota. Kennedy said: “Obviously, business is business. Things happen sometimes and I’m not going to hold anything against Hull KR.
“I know that things have to pan out the way they are sometimes. In rugby league, we’re all mates but sometimes there’s the business side of it as well. For me, I’m just glad I’ve got another opportunity to go again and I’m really looking forward to proving myself down at the Broncos.
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“It’s exciting. Obviously, they’re new into Super League but having spoken to Mike, he backs his players that have been playing Championship to step up. He’s very excited about their young, energetic pack and hopefully, I can add a little bit of experience to that.”
There’s no automatic promotion and relegation next year due to the new grading system brought in on the back of IMG’s influence. But London sit 24th in the indicative gradings announced last month meaning it is almost impossible to see them staying up regardless of what they do on the pitch. However, Broncos have vowed to improve in all areas in the long term to get the Grade A rating required to cement a top-flight spot.
Hull KR's Rhys Kennedy has joined London Broncos (Getty Images)And Kennedy insisted: “You’ve seen Leigh come up this year and do a good job. We’ll be looking to do the same thing and show we can be successful in Super League. With my signing, the gist of it is to add a bit more experience and leadership and use what I’ve learned in the NRL and this year in Super League.
“It’s all pretty fresh. I’ve only just put pen to paper. But everyone I’ve spoken to, a few players who have been down there before, says London is a great club and great place to live so I’m sure we’ll enjoy ourselves down there. The main thing for me is being somewhere I can try and keep playing my best footy again and prove myself.”
Looking back at his time with the Robins, the former South Sydney forward added: "Obviously, playing at Wembley was definitely one of the highlights of my season. But winning the semi against Wigan was such a great game and the way we won - Brad Schneider kicking the field goal in front of all those Rovers fans - was brilliant. That would be on a par to actually going to Wembley as obviously not winning there put a damper on things."