Hull KR are reeling from the decision of Papua New Guinea international Neville Costigan to quit the club halfway through a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old loose forward joined Rovers from Newcastle Knights a year ago and missed only three of their 27 Super League appearances in 2014.

Costigan, who captained Papua New Guinea in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, returned home to Australia at the end of the season and has cited “personal reasons” for his decision not to return.

A club statement said: “Hull Kingston Rovers can confirm that Neville Costigan has resigned from his contract with the club and will remain in Australia for personal reasons.

“Whilst the club are understandably disappointed with the timing of the decision by Neville not to return for the 2015 season, every effort will now be made to find a suitable replacement in the forwards for Super League XX.”

Hull KR will start 2015 with a new-look squad following the departure of 11 players, three of them through retirement.