Rhys Lovegrove to stay at Hull KR but Ben Galea will go
HULL KR have told captain Ben Galea he will not be offered a new contract for next season.
The 33-year-old, who was made captain at the start of the campaign, had publicly spoken of his desire to remain at the Robins.
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Rhys Lovegrove
However, talks over a new contract are believed to have broken down in the early stages, with the Robins concerned over his recent injuries.
Galea missed the first nine rounds of Super League this season with a knee injury and is currently ruled out with hamstring trouble.
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He will see out the season at KR and is targeting a return in the derby later this month. But he will now be granted permission to speak to other clubs, ending a five-year association at MS3 Craven Park.
Nobody was available to comment on the matter at Rovers, as rumours of Galea's future started to spread on Twitter last night.
However, the Mail understands he told his team-mates he would be leaving at the end of the season, with confirmation expected from the club in the next 24 hours.
The news of Galea's departure comes as Rovers announced positive news about retaining another key member of this season's squad in second-rower Rhys Lovegrove.
He has signed a new three-year deal until the end of 2015.
The former St George Illawarra youngster, who spoke to the Mail before news of Galea's departure broke, said he believes staying at KR is the best move for his career.
"I'm happy and relieved a bit as well," Lovegrove told the Mail.
"It's nice to have things sorted for the next three years for me and my family.
"I'm glad I'm playing well enough to get this new deal and I'm over the moon.
"It would be a massive achievement for me if I were able to start and finish at Rovers. That would be amazing for me personally.
"To do that though I need to continue playing well."
Lovegrove's new deal is reward for a solid season this year, in which he has been used at prop, centre and on the wing.
It has ensured the 25-year-old a regular starting spot, but now he is hoping to secure a regular position in the side too.
"The last couple of years I've floated in and out, starting and coming off the bench in the front row, second row, centre and even on the wing," he said.
"I'd like to solidify myself as a number 13, or any other position Craig wants me to play. I just want to hammer down a spot.
"I'm 25, and I have a lot of ambition in me – I want to be a starter.
"And, of course, I'm like everyone else, I want to win something."
Lovegrove's new deal puts an end to speculation linking him with a move to Hull FC.
However, although he was aware of the speculation, he insists no approach was made.
"You need to get a bunch of possible options to find out what's best for your family, and there was talk with various clubs, but nothing like an offer was ever discussed," he said.
"I had my mind set on staying here and I was not keen on moving.
"Had Hull been the only option then I'd have had to take it, but I couldn't envisage playing for them."




Comments
by kmoon
Sunday, July 08 2012, 5:03PM
“no galea no rovers, its easy to work out who to keep”
by skulkingcindy
Saturday, July 07 2012, 7:07AM
“I've been awake all night thinking about Rovers but I'm so upset I haven't been able to come up with a single thing to say to you pesky Dobbins.
Still, despite Hull F.C's poor showing last night, I will think of something. I am going to be on various threads all day obsessing and making up lies.”
by rebelrobin
Friday, July 06 2012, 10:38PM
“wow fc did not want lovegrove how u lot change your tune on your fans forum some of you were drulling over the fact lovegrove had even contenplated joining you lot, then on here you lot was saying cos your skint we are getting lovegrove,watts,mcdonnell,taylor, dobson to wigan blah blah yet then we resign lovegrove we you say we didnt want him how sad are you lot i bet you didnt want lopini peaea either but you did want im a drunk always in trouble mcgoldrick wow im so jealous of your BIG club how did you do tonight oh yes lost, before you say it were still above you and yes u are but what happened last season, and we will beat salford we will be a point behind u lot you will get hammered in france then beat by the robins the week later, oh wait u got beat cos the ref was against you but yet let u lot have a breather b4 the game but last week we were not aloud against saints yet we were told to go on pitch straight away no warm up ofter a 3 hour delay, so u lot cannot use that excuse u were closer to home than we were”
by theredun2
Friday, July 06 2012, 7:05PM
“sulkingsandy - I am a Rovers fan and I have never had a giro cheque in my life. I could buy and sell you many times over!”
by skulkingcindy
Friday, July 06 2012, 6:45PM
“Sandydunes, I've had enough of you pesky dobbins making fun of our injury stricken team. We are a 'Big Club' and would have been in the top two if it wasn't for yet another streak of bad luck.
I am going to watch my team on TV tonight and obsess about Rovers at the same time. We'll show you.”
by SandyDunes
Friday, July 06 2012, 6:37PM
“by L_iar_Slamma friday, July 6 2012, 5:07PM
"The only reason Lovegrove signed for theDobbins is because Hull FC didn't want him...
So you have confirmed you and all your duller mates that said he was on his way over the river are liars or just knownowts.
cheers”
by rebelrobin
Friday, July 06 2012, 4:43PM
“i see even fc cannot lure any player they want cos they wanted taylor he is extending his stay at kr, they want lopini peaea he was a dead cert but just signed a 2 year extention with catalans, you wanted lovegrove but he signed extention you wanted shannon he going to widnes why can you not get these players oh wait cos your near your cap.. and they is in house battles appantly.. we at kr are fine but i do find calling all kr fans scum is bang out of order and you need to run off and see your doctor and get on the anger managment programme you have issues i work very hard at asda i dont scrounge of the state and never have”
by rebelrobin
Friday, July 06 2012, 4:31PM
“so all rovers fan are giro cashing scum are we what a pleb you really are i work very hard at asda but not on the trollies thank God with this weather, i aint jealous at all of fc i dont wish any of your players ill health, but as for ben galea i think in all honesty ben should retire after the season ends its ok saying he can do another year but his body is saying diffrent it takes longer to heal first was 9 weeks now poss 6 weeks that is 15 from poss 27 games not a ideal situation but credit to him he never gives in. i wish him and jake all the best in the future also joel clinton the problem kr have at moment these 3 players take a big chunk of the salary and not playing does not help anyone, also going back to rhys i heard what whatthenews said but im afraid i cannot believe you because firstly rhys would not accept losing money if as you say he got less for a longer term how would that work im no sherlock. but if you are on less wages that means less for bills and food and his mortgage which then would mean he would be homeless and that is a no no when you are about to be married and have a 1 year old baby, i also got told that cas and widnes made intrests in him but he never wanted to leave kr, also who else are we signing its gone very quiet again hows lopini peae new contract coming along”
by Greeny143
Thursday, July 05 2012, 7:09PM
“Well chuffed that Rhys has signed. He is without doubt a key squad member. His best season this year now he has had a run in a consistent position. Will never be a prop. Puts in big minutes, carries the ball well and tackles all day...top player. Ben Galea has been a top overseas signing up there with the likes of Broadhurst, Prohm, Vella...All the best to Ben and his family!! It will be a great way for him to go leading us out in the grand final.”
by Eastullred
Thursday, July 05 2012, 7:07PM
“Great news about rhys he has really come on to be a very solid player n will only get better! Sad news about super benny g he has been our best superleague era signing true professional but like Vella last season the time has come for them to move on”