Sheens: Rovers to shine

TIM SHEENS has vowed to write another stunning chapter in his career by saving Hull KR’s top-flight skins.

The Aussie is the most decorated coach in Super League with a World Cup and four NRL titles to his name.

But he admits one of his proudest achievements is handling the shock of Rovers’ relegation and then getting them promoted last season.

And now the 67-year-old is determined to make sure Rovers not only survive but thrive back in Super League.

He said: “Some people don’t give us a chance of avoiding the bottom four and that’s fine. We know we have to earn that respect.

“That’s what we intend to do. We think we’ve got a good chance of getting in that top eight and that’s all we’re targeting for starters.”

In September 2016, Sheens announced he would leave his job as Salford’s director of rugby to become Rovers coach the following season.

Weeks later, Salford doomed Rovers to relegation, handing awardwinning Sheens the shock of having to coach in the second tier.

He said: “The club had signed me to coach in Super League but they wanted me to stay so I stood by my word.

“There were difficult times last year and it’s tough coaching in the Championship but it has pulled the players together.

“Hell, yes I’m proud of getting the club back up at the first attempt but we had to work really hard to do it.

“We had 5,000 to 7,000 fans turning up all the time and standing by us.

“For them and the history of the club, it’s good to come straight back up.”