New Zealand star Peta Hiku to make Super League switch in 2024
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
New Zealand international Peta Hiku will join Super League club Hull KR on a three-year deal from the 2024 campaign.
The 30-year-old utility back has made 190 appearances in the NRL for Manly Sea Eagles, Penrith Panthers, New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys.
2024 won’t be Hiku’s first time in Super League. He enjoyed a short spell with Warrington back in 2017, scoring 10 tries in 11 games for the Wolves.
Hull KR coach Willie Peters said: “We’re excited to welcome Peta to Hull KR next season.
“Peta is proven at every level in the game and brings a wealth of experience to our side.
“It’s a real capture to have Peta join us from next season.
“Peta’s high standards in the NRL and for the Kiwis is a testament to his ability on the field and to him as a person.
“We’ve earmarked Peta to play full-back for us next season with him playing there through the grades and in the NRL.
“However, Peta’s versatility will be an asset to us next season as he can play full-back, five-eighth and centre equally well. Peta is a strong leader and a motivated winner.
“I’d like to welcome Peta, his wife, and his children to Hull KR for 2024.”
Peta Hiku excited to be joining Hull KR
The Gisborne-back has won 17 caps for New Zealand since making his international debut in 2014, representing the Kiwis in the last two World Cups.
Hiku said: “It’s exciting the way the club have been going this year and what Willie (Peters) has been talking about with how the club’s building too, it’s exciting to be a part of it.
“The way the Robins crowd get behind the team and the passion the community has for their footy, it makes it more enjoyable as a player, I can’t wait to experience all that.”
Hiku is comfortable playing at centre, wing, in the halves and at full-back. He will be a like for like replacement for Scotland international Lachlan Coote, who will be retiring at the season’s end.
On the full-back role, Hiku said: “I’m looking at it being enjoyable, you get your hands on the ball more and are more involved in the game. That’s in attack and defence, you have to be involved in everything and I’m looking forward to it.”
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