HULL KR: Clinton's ready to roll at Rovers

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Thursday, January 14, 2010
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This is HullandEastRiding

JOEL Clinton has signed a three-year deal at Hull KR – the Mail can today exclusively confirm.

The player's agent David Riolo has confirmed the signing after weeks of speculation over the deal.

It is the first time the signing has been officially commented on by any party involved.

Rovers are yet to make any announcement, preferring to wait until his visa to enter the UK is granted.

But Riolo admitted it is a done deal – and that there are no concerns over the 28-year-old's visa application.

The former Brisbane Broncos prop even hopes to be at Craven Park within a fortnight – and ready for the Super League opener against Salford on February 7.

Should his visa arrive soon, he may even have a chance of playing in the Robins friendly against Bradford Bulls at Odsal on January 28 – KR's only remaining warm-up against Super League opponents after Sunday's derby.

"Joel is just waiting for his visa and then he'll be on his way," Riolo told the Mail.

"All the paperwork has been done and everything is in place.

"He's ready to go as soon as the visa comes through.

"Some rugby league players have received their visas within 10 days, others four weeks. Over the last 12 to 18 months, the visa applications have tightened up and we have to be patient.

"But Joel has nothing in his past to slow up his application and all being well I hope he could be in England in a couple of weeks."

Clinton is currently staying at his father's house in Australia as he prepares for life in Super League with the Robins.

However, Riolo insists that despite being released from his contract by Brisbane, he has continued to train with the club to maintain his fitness levels.

"He wants to be ready to play as soon as he arrives in England," Riolo said.

"He's really looking forward to getting there and getting started and that is why he has been training with Brisbane."

Clinton is seen as the missing piece in Rovers' jigsaw for the 2010 season.

Having released forwards Makali Aizue and Nick Fozzard, coach Justin Morgan made no secret of his desire to bring in a hard-hitting prop.

He will form a new-look front row at the Robins alongside captain Mick Vella and Scott Murrell at hooker.

The Mail understands his arrival will take Rovers close to the salary cap limit, with the club looking to move at least one player out to accommodate their new arrival.

Clinton has made more than 180 appearances in the NRL for Penrith and more recently Brisbane, where he was the highest paid prop, on £150,000 a year.

Like Vella, he has represented his country, playing against New Zealand in the ANZAC Test.

Morgan also has Scott Wheeldon, David Mills, Rhys Lovegrove, Jason Netherton and Liam Watts to rotate in his forward line this year.

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70 Comments

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by hdm, reader

    Friday, January 15 2010, 9:00AM

    “slammer surely the split payment was to prevent going over the salary cap,nuff said”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by hdm, reader

    Friday, January 15 2010, 8:53AM

    “slammer,you obviously dont know the difference between,may have to and will have to,try saying it slowly.lol”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by sarah, east hull

    Friday, January 15 2010, 1:08AM

    “dull fc fans are so sad they need to grow up and get a life as well as a good team”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by redrobin, kirk ella

    Friday, January 15 2010, 12:47AM

    “Just had a quick look to see if the groveller had been on to inform us all about Joel Clinton's status at Les Catalans. Sadly no sign of grovellor. I may check tomorrow for another reliable bulletin from him about Rover's squad. Bon soir, Monsieur groveller, vous est un idiot mais tres drole, ha ha”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by eddies wig, sky sports

    Thursday, January 14 2010, 10:58PM

    “mark hull, who said turner is the best young player in the game only fc fans , kyle eastmond gets my vote.”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by slammer, EHIW

    Thursday, January 14 2010, 10:23PM

    “drinks, 'let the truth' wouldnt know or understand what the term 'truth' meant. I say it in the past tense because I well and truly slammed him every time he posted.
    'Let the truth' wasnt right about overseas payments - every SL club makes such payments in fact SL as a brand wouldnt be as high-profile without overseas players.
    I dont agree signing overseas players is at the root of Rovers on-going losses. The losses are being incurred because areas of the stadia are poor thus affecting the clubs opportunities to extent the fan-base and attract more away supporters. Measures are in hand to hopefully turn this around.
    Just a point but are you hiding behind a silly name?”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by slammer, EHIW

    Thursday, January 14 2010, 9:14PM

    “hdm reader, go read Baxters post (and the article) again!
    He stated JC was coming on a 2 yr deal! he says Rovers would have to pay him on a split basis, then suggested the club would need to off-load a player to accomodate JL.
    I rest my case for slamming him!”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by gaz, hull

    Thursday, January 14 2010, 8:55PM

    “There are better props playing in national league 1 then Clinton ,such as Auzue, 90% cheaper!”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by darren, hull

    Thursday, January 14 2010, 8:03PM

    “when b&w is looking at the league table he must be standing on his head ha ha.”

  • Profile image for This is HullandEastRiding

    by kfc walton st market, hull

    Thursday, January 14 2010, 7:50PM

    “Bill clinton , sorry he cant get in bob carvers for the tongan fat mafia ,o,belly and radford! many apologies”

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