To me to you....

Very good.

We don't do Divet's

As Rhys explains in todays HDM he enjoys playing with the pressure of having to play for a contract it keeps him motivated where others would worry an injury may effect his earning capacity, Rhys just sees the positives and will more than likely happily sign an extension next season too but things do change and he's well aware he has to play well for that to happen.

Im sure he will,the lads been quality for us this season and im delighted hes signed an extension to his contract.

Its a brave thing to do!

Players normally prefer long term contracts to protect themselves from something out of their control ie serious injury which god forbid doesnt happen.

A one year deal suits the club more in that they have a player playing for his future but on the other hand if Rhys improvement continues then he is not tied in I suppose.

One thing with Rhys is that although he loves to play the game and enjoys his job he doesnt see Rugby League as the be all and end all. Not too long ago he seriously contemplated following in his mothers footsteps and joining the RAF if a contract hadn't been forthcoming. He has deffinately been endeared to HKR and is fully enjoying his rugby at the moment as he did in his first year at the club.

Lets just hope his son gets his mothers looks eh!!!!!

I'm a big fan of Rhys. His attitude is top notch and his performances and progress on the field match that. If he carries on at the rate he is he'll be one of the top young props in the league.

Really good news this.
Rhys has been impressive every time he has donned the rovers colours this season, his go forward has been second to none and if he carries on in the same mode next season the sky's the limit for the lad.

Rovers stand out prop when fit this season. Great signing.

I see from the official website that Lovegrove does indeed count as homegrown and not just federation trained.

That is good news but might explain why Lovegrove has only wanted a one year deal.

Soon Rovers will need no less than 8 homegrown players in their 25 man squad. That is a very difficult thing to achieve without weakening the squad.

The point being that if Lovegrove left you couldn't just go out and get a similar standard player from elsewhere. You'd have to replace him with a kid from the academy who probably isn't ready yet.

That's a very good bargaining position for Lovegrove to be in.

I can be 100% sure this has never and will never come into Rhys's thoughts. He just wants to play the best rugby he can to support his family. He enjoys the pressure of trying to earn a contract and has no desire to play for any other club either here or in the NRL. Now dont get me wrong this doesnt mean Rovers can have his pants down and offer him poor contracts but he is a very loyal player and plays his best rugby when he is enjoying life and his rugby.

If Lovegrove counts then Scotty and Chaz must as well


That makes Scotty, Chaz, Rhys and Kris all homegrown.
Does anyone know at what age Stan joined us

Dont think Stan knows what age he joined us!

Really chuffed for the club and Rhys - he's been outstanding this season and he's a nice kid to boot.

top notch player great news he's staying

If this is correct then for his sake I hope he's got a decent agent.

Homegrown

This isn't a dig at Netherton because I l;ike him but how can someone who has been arguably our best prop this season be given a 1 year deal and Netherton be given 2?

Nice to see Lovegrove getting the appreciation on here from Rovers fans he deseves. Had an outstanding season at prop, marred up until recently by his injury, but hopefully back firing on full cylinders for the play off.

I thought it was because he requested it that way, as his comments in H.D.Mail say some player on more than a 1 year deal (take Mills for example) get complacent, and with a 1 year deal you push yourself as an individual, to play at your best.

Im chuffed for Rhys , he had his knockers during the season , pleased for the lad, met him a few times and he is a nice kid, worked really hard and took the criticism he received well, all constructive and he worked hard to eradicate the errors he was making.

Well deserved contract , it must be the pink boots , Linda Lovelace

A lot of people also forget he is one of the youngest first team players Rovers have being a week younger than Welham.

Fair enough. Sounds like a pretty good attitude to have to me.