Hull KR coach Tim Sheens is delighted to have completed the capture of Catalans Dragons forward Antoni Maria, who arrives on a one-month loan. Rovers have lost a number of key players to injury following a gruelling Easter period and Sheens was keen to bring in cover for Mose Masoe and Mitch Garbutt.
32-year-old Maria, who can also play in the back row, will do just that, and could be in line to make his debut against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday. “It’s common knowledge that we’re in a bit of trouble with so many senior props out and made worse by Mitch Garbutt going in for surgery today (Thursday). It’s four weeks max, two if we’re lucky and we are underdone in that area,” Sheens told Hull KR TV.
“The owner and the club have given us an opportunity to look in the market which is not always easy around Easter but Catalans were good to us. He’s an experienced player and we are desperate for that within the group. “Ben Crooks has played with Antoni at Leigh, as well as Josh Drinkwater last year too so he has friends here, James Webster has coached him too.
He’ll settle in fairly quickly. “Mose Masoe’s hand is in plaster, the surgery is complete. Everything is positive but it’s another month before he’s back. Ryan Lannon has trained fully today after foot surgery and we’re hoping he’ll be available for Sunday.”
