HULL KR chairman Neil Hudgell has called on his star forward Mickey Paea to 'come clean' and 'show the club respect' – claiming the Tongan has already privately admitted to signing a deal to join Hull FC next season.
The 27-year-old, who has publicly claimed to still be looking for a deal in Australia as a priority, has so far only admitted to having a number of offers from Super League clubs.
But, speaking exclusively to the Mail, KR chairman Hudgell claimed the player had in fact told Rovers he has already signed a deal with Hull FC two weeks ago.
Now, Hudgell has chosen to make the matter public after being incensed by comments made by Paea's agent in the Mail last week, saying they painted a very different picture to that offered by Paea himself behind closed doors.
Agent Darryl Mather blamed continuing uncertainty over KR's long-term ownership for Paea deciding not to commit to the new deal at MS3 Craven Park, and said he was keen on an NRL return, despite 'multiple' Super League offers.
But, insisting both Paea and senior officials at Hull have now confirmed to Hull KR that he has agreed a deal at the KC Stadium and, having seen a similar situation unfold last season when full-back Shannon McDonnell repeatedly denied links only to eventually move across the city, Hudgell said he would not stand by and let fans be left in the dark again.
"Mickey has told the club that he has signed, in his own words, 'a deal too good to turn down' at Hull FC two weeks ago," Hudgell told the Mail.
"Consequently, what his agent has said is nonsense and I'm mystified by his comments. To blame uncertainties at the club is the easy way out, convenient and lacking in logic. If Mickey genuinely hadn't signed anywhere else, surely the fact our coach had recently re-signed puts to bed any such concerns.
"We both know he's gone for the bigger deal, and who can blame him? It's a short career and he needs to get out of it what he can. We made him an offer to reflect his value, Hull topped it by a significant amount and that's how it pans out from time to time, which I have no problem with.
"We won't pay beyond our means for any player. We assessed the worth of Mickey to the club, and he was able to do far better. The fact we have known about this for a while has enabled us to close in on a quality replacement elsewhere, which we expect to announce shortly."
Whilst keen to stress he has no axe to grind against Paea for signing a deal on better terms, Hudgell says he is angry that another player appears to be hiding behind supposed interest from the NRL.
Paea has insisted that should a deal become available in the NRL, that is still where he will head, but Hudgell is certain that will not be the case, and called on Hull to announce the deal too.
"What I cannot stomach is the pretence and the fanciful notion he is going back to Australia to assess his options," Hudgell added.
"He knows, I know and, despite Hull coach Peter Gentle suggesting not, Hull know where he is going and why. He needs to front up to the fans and get on with ending his KR career on the right note.
"I am not having another Shannon McDonnell sideshow, where everyone knew from June where he was going, apart from the supporters.
"Mickey needs to show he has a bit about him by correcting his agent's comments, drawing a line under it and moving on for what's left of his Hull KR career.
"He needs to show some respect for the people who pay his wages, albeit I think that respect has already been damaged by his agent stating Mickey wants to move to a bigger club."
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