Hull KR loose forward Dave Petersen is to join his Robins team-mate Louis Sheriff in Australia in 2013.

The 20-year-old Petersen, who made four Super League appearances in 2012 when he spent most of the season on a dual registration with Workington, was due to sign a new deal at Craven Park when he received an offer from Queensland Cup team Mackay Cutters.

"It was too good an opportunity to miss and I wondered whether it would ever come round again," Peterson told the News and Star.

Peterson has signed a 12-month contract with the Cutters, who have also recruited Rovers' Australian prop Joel Clinton to play alongside Wales international Neil Budworth.

Full-back Sheriff also rejected the offer of a new contract with Hull KR to sign for Brisbane Redcliffe Dolphins, who play in the same league as Mackay.