New Hull KR duo Mika & Paea looking to make 2012 impact
- Published
New Hull Kingston Rovers signings Constantine Mika and Mickey Paea say they are excited about playing in Super League for the first time.
Second-rower Mika joins up with his former Newcastle Knights coach Craig Sandercock whilst prop Paea turned down a new contract with NRL side Canterbury Bulldogs to sign for the Robins.
Paea, 25, told 大象传媒 Radio Humberside: "I jumped at the chance.
"I've always wanted to come here and I'm ready to get stuck in.
He added: "It's exciting to come here and play alongside guys of the calibre of Benny Galea, Michael Dobson and Jake Webster."
The 22-year-old Mika says he had options to stay in the NRL but the opportunity to play in Super League fulfills a career ambition.
"I was talking to a few clubs in the NRL but I've always wanted to come to England and experience it," he stated.
"I thought I might as well do it while I'm young rather than later on in my career and that's probably the main reason why I wanted to come."
Having worked with Sandercock at the Newcastle Knights, Mika says the chance to work alongside his former coach was a factor in moving to Craven Park.
"I was talking to a few clubs in England but I got a heads-up that Sandy had got the head coach job here.
"It's a good club and I heard the fans are real good over here so it's the sort of environment I want to be in," he concluded.
- Published26 September 2011