PAPUA New Guinea star Keven Appo has become the latest recruit of the Bulls revamp.
The forward, who played a lead role as the Kumuls reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup, has signed on an initial one-year deal with the option of a second.
Mark Dunning was thrilled to add the 23-year-old to his rebuild - the 12th permanent capture for next season at Odsal.
He believes Appo, who has been playing for PNG Hunters in Australia’s second tier, will add intensity to the team with and without the ball.
“I am really, really pleased we have managed to get the deal done,” said Dunning.
“This started prior to the World Cup. We identified him as someone we wanted then after which the World Cup has only shown us and everyone how good he is.
“He is a big robust human being – everything he does he does with energy.
“He carries hard and dents defences, he has a real desire to hit hard in defence also. I think he will be a real crowd favourite who will get the fans off their seats and clapping.
“He is going to add to and complement our group we already have in the building.
“We identified certain areas where he will bring things such as his infectious energy and commitment. Keven is really looking forward to getting over and we are looking forward to having him.”
Dunning insists he is “very comfortable” with the business done so far as he reshapes the changing room after last season’s lamentable ninth-placed finish.
He added: “I am really content with where we are at the moment. Michael (Lawrence) joined us last week and has come straight into training and Keven will join us in due course when he’s rested from the World Cup.
“Some of our existing players who played in the World Cup like AJ Wallace, Brad Ho, Chester Butler are all back in and around the building so we are looking healthy, fresh, energised and committed, ready to rip in to an intense pre-season.
“We knew what we had to do as a club was to overhaul the squad and make it look a lot different to how it was last year.
“There’s a recruitment board that consists of myself, Brian Noble, Jason Hirst and Nigel Wood and we’ve worked really hard as a quartet to make sure that happened.
“I’ve got a different philosophy of how I want to play the game next season.
“This is all built around the understanding of that. Everyone is on the same page and we’re working very hard to complete the last few deals. If we do that, I’ll be very pleased.”
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