Townsville Blackhawks second rower Eddie Hampson has signed a two-year deal with Super League club Hull KR, starting in 2027.
Hampson is an exciting prospect for the English side and has been an integral part of the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup this year, with the 23-year-old recording 22 appearances and scoring in 11 of them.
After a fifth-placed finish this season, the Blackhawks were narrowly defeated by the Burleigh Bears in the semi-final, marking two consecutive semi-final knockouts in two years for the Townsville-based team.
Hampson has proved a hard-working and consistent addition to the side, playing 80 minutes in the majority of his games this year in the back row.
His signing comes after Hull KR revealed an extensive list of players leaving the club after 2026, including former NRL forward Tevita Pangai Junior.
Speaking in a statement for Hull KR, Hampson says he is looking forward to playing for his new club and impressing supporters.
“I'm really excited to get over. I've heard so much about the club and the fans," Hampson said.
“From what I hear, the fans are a massive part of the club, so I want to come over, earn the team's trust and make the fans proud too.”
Hampson will be joined by South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Moala Graham-Taufa after his signing to Hull KR just a couple of days ago. Both players become two of the first signings made by new Hull head coach Nathan Cayless.
Cayless took the head coaching role following his tenure at the NSW Cup Parramatta Eels and his assistant coach role with the New Zealand international team.
Cayless told Hull KR he had been watching Hampson and believes the back-rower will bolster his side.
“Eddie is an explosive second-rower who's got plenty of speed, is a great tackle-breaker and is a try-scorer," Cayless said.
“He's also a player who, more often than not, wins his collisions in the middle. He'll definitely complement the squad we already have.
“I've had my eye on Eddie for a while now and he's been performing consistently for a number of seasons.”
Hampson will take the field alongside memorable former NRL stars Peta Hiku, Sauaso "Jesse" Sue and Tyrone May, as well as 2024 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel recipient Mikey Lewis.
