Heffernan joins Hull KR

Hull Kingston Rovers have secured the services of Australian centre Andrew Heffernan from Penrith Panthers ahead of the 2017 season.

The 21 year-old was a junior at Canberra Raiders, but has found NRL opportunities hard to come by in a star-studded backline since joining the Panthers.

Heffernan is a versatile playmaker who can also play in the halves or at fullback, but is expected to feature more regularly at centre for the Robins after being identified by head coach Tim Sheens.

Standing at 6ft and weighing around 15 stone, Heffernan has the abilities to add considerable strike power to the Rovers side and was a stand-out performer down under at Under-20s level and in the Intrust Super Premiership, the reserve grade competition to the NRL.

Heffernan, who will join his new teammates for pre-season training shortly, said: “I’m really excited about having the opportunity to play for such a proud club with a rich history.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead of us in 2017 and can’t wait to get over there and start training with the squad.”

Head coach Tim Sheens said: “Andrew was highly rated when he came through the system at Canberra and Penrith pulled out all the stops to take him there.

“Unfortunately for him he was stuck behind some excellent outside backs at the Panthers which has opened the door for us to bring him on board.

“He’s quick, skilful, has excellent footwork and can play in a few positions. We see him playing mainly at centre for us but his versatility gives us options within the squad which will be important next season.

“Andrew is somebody who a lot of supporters over here won’t have seen before but I’m confident that after four or five games everybody will know what he’s about.

“He’s an exciting player to watch and we expect him to establish himself as an important member of the squad in 2017.”