Hull KR boss Nathan Cayless has officially started his role as the Robins’ new gaffer after landing in the UK earlier this week.

The Parramatta Eels legend actually turned down a chance to coach New Zealand at the current Rugby League World Cup – a decision he was more than happy to arrive at given his priority is now the East Hull.

Cayless took his first press conference since arriving at the club today, and spoke on a range of topics, but one intriguing topic was that of recruitment.

Hull KR have made just three signings so far, in what has been a relatively quiet off-season for a side that has had eight first-teamers leave the club.

However, that could still change with Cayless confirming that the side are still on the lookout for a new face to add to their roster.

Giving the usual head coach spiel of recruitment being an ongoing process and they wouldn’t say no if the right player became available, the Robins head coach said: “Potentially, [we’re] working on one, but that’s still in the works.

“As a coach and as a club, you’re always looking to upgrade different things. You’re always keeping an eye on different players and different opportunities.

“Paul Lakin [CEO] and I, and the rest of the coaching staff, will have conversations daily about players and opportunities, because in this position, you can’t discount anything.

“The landscape will change regularly; we just need to make sure that we’re doing the best for the club. If that means that we need to sign someone because it’s going to improve the team and the club, then we’ll seriously look at that from day one.”

Nathan Cayless gives verdict on Hull KR’s signings so far as improvement point made

As for the three players that the club have already confirmed will arrive, the new boss has stated what they will add to the squad.

Outside back Moala Graham-Taufa is a player that Cayless knows well. He has signed from the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Prop Salesi Ataata joins from the same club, whilst back rower Eddie Hampson arrives from the Townsville Blackhawks.

“They’ll bring power,” declared the Robins boss. “They’ll bring leg speed. They’ll bring tackle breaks. They’ll bring competitiveness.

“The three of them are coming over for an opportunity to really fire up their careers. It’s about them to establish themselves and do really well in the Super League with a goal to go back to the NRL.”

Of Graham-Taufa, Cayless added: “I’ve known [him] since 2020, working at the Roosters when the Roosters signed him as one of the best young players coming out of New Zealand.

“He’s been at a couple of different clubs now, but he’s really looking to establish himself as a first-team player over here.”

Asked where he thinks the 2026 squad can improve heading into the new season, Cayless insisted that not too much needs to change given there’s already plenty of cohesion within the group, but did say that continuous development of every player was paramount.

“I feel like we can look at some players that bring in a little bit more of that power-style game.

“…Across the board, when I talk about players improving and getting better, that’s everyone. From younger players to older players, if we can, staff included, all improve 1%, 2% across the board as a squad, then there’ll be some good signs there.

“We want to see those signs at training. So that’ll be the big things that I’ll be looking for, really observing how guys go about their work and go about their business.

“You don’t get the highs that the boys have had if you don’t have those traits. So there’s quite a bit there.

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