09 April 2023 , 11:00
649
0
Castleford Tigers have signed Hull KR three-quarter Will Tate on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The Robins released Tate, 21, from the remainder of his contract so he could take up the offer from their Super League rivals. He had struggled for first-team opportunities, not playing for KR since September, but Castleford hope to advance him. Rovers head coach Willie Peters said: “Will came through our Academy system and is a player we believe will have a successful career in Super League.
“He came to me and said he thinks the pathway to achieve that is better suited at another club. Although we didn’t want to lose him, we have given Will the opportunity to join Castleford and agreed to release him from the final year and a half of his contract. He is a quality person who has a lot to offer both on and off the field. We wish him all the best.”
Tate - who can play wing, centre or full-back - debuted in 2020 but made just 16 appearances in his Robins career, scoring four tries. It is the second piece of business with Castleford - who need to strengthen after picking up only their second win of the season on Thursday - in a couple of weeks after second-row Luis Johnson also moved to Wheldon Road on a season-long loan.
Tate could debut at Salford on Thursday and KR chief executive Paul Lakin added: “Will is a model professional and we are proud he’s developed through our Academy to the first-team squad. However, his game-time has been very limited over the last two years and is likely to be for the foreseeable future. Will moves to Castleford with our very best wishes.”
Gay rugby league referee lifts lid on how coming out affected officiating career