Kelepi Tanginoa is ready to prove himself as competition heats up with Rhyse Martin joining Hull KR, aiming for a successful season ahead
Hull: Kelepi Tanginoa is in a tough fight for a spot on the Hull KR team. He’s ready to show he deserves to be there, especially with Rhyse Martin joining the squad.
Last season, Tanginoa made a great impression at Sewell Group Craven Park. He had some standout moments that really helped the team. But now, with Martin coming in from Leeds Rhinos, things are getting competitive.
He’s up against Martin and James Batchelor for just two spots. But instead of feeling stressed, Tanginoa is excited about the challenge. He believes competition is key to building a strong team.
“It’s what you need to build a successful side,” he said. He knows Martin well and thinks he’ll bring a lot to the team. They’ve played together before, so he’s confident in what Martin can do.
Tanginoa has been preparing hard, even before pre-season kicked off. He aimed to come back lighter this year, especially after dealing with injuries last season. He’s been running a lot to keep fit and is enjoying the training.
“The training is tough, but it’s also different with new experienced players around,” he shared. The intensity has ramped up, and he feels it’s a step up from last year.
As for his role this season, he’s not quite sure yet. Last year, he started as a regular but later came off the bench. He’s flexible and ready to adapt to whatever the team needs.
“I’m always going to be a back-rower,” he said, but he’s open to whatever role helps the team succeed. He doesn’t expect to play in the middle like he did at Wakefield Trinity, where they had a smaller pack.
“Here, we’ve got great depth in the props,” he noted, feeling confident about the team’s strength. It’s all about working together and pushing each other to be better.
