SIZE does matter in Rugby League — and that’s why Roughyeds have brought in Pat Moran and Samy Kibula to bolster the pack, said managing director Mike Ford when interviewed by Gerald Brierley on Oldham Community Radio.
“We are not the biggest side in League One,“ said Ford, “and size is significant, as some of our fans have been telling us. By bringing in Pat and Samy it should make a big difference.”
He said 23-year-old prop Kibula, a giant of a man at 6ft 4in and weighing-in at more than 17 stone, would be here for five games in his month’s loan from Batley Bulldogs, starting with Midlands Hurricanes away and followed by Hunslet at home, London Skolars away, Doncaster at home and Dewsbury Rams away.
Born in Kinshasa, Dominican Republic of the Congo, to a Congolese father and a South African mother, Samy came through the ranks at Leigh Miners where he was spotted by Wigan. He graduated through the Academy ranks and played one Super League game against Huddersfield Giants before signing for Warrington Wolves ahead of the 2020 season. From there he went to Newcastle Thunder on loan and less than a year later he signed for Bradford Bulls in the Championship before having a spell on loan to Dewsbury and then ultimately joining Batley Bulldogs.
When he signed for Bradford, the then Bulls coach John Kear said:
“He’s a big fella, he really is. He suffered a season-ending injury while at Newcastle on loan, but he was highly thought of at Wigan and Warrington so he has certainly come through some good systems.
“He adds weight and we will look at maximising his size and ability to give us more impact.”
Kibula is keen to do well in rugby league as a thank-you to his parents for all their support in his days as a youngster growing up in the game.
He said:
“They helped me a lot in my early days so when I made my debut for Wigan it was a very happy day for them. They especially helped me when I was playing in the snow as a boy. I also played a lot of rugby union in the winter so it was all about getting up early and seeing me off in snow, rain and horrible weather.
“ My aim is to do my best for them and pay them back for all they’ve done for me.”
