Spectacular collapse puts KR in danger of MPG clash

ROVERS LET 19-POINT LEAD SLIP FROM THEIR GRASP AS TOULOUSE PRODUCE SHOCK WIN

Tries: Curran, Centrone 2, Robin, Marguerite, Ader; Goals: Kheirallah 5/8

Rugby league fans up and down the country – three countries in fact – will have their abacus at the ready in the next seven days. A weekend of thrills, spills and downright shocks in the Qualifiers has seen the competition blown apart, just when it appeared the sides were starting to settle in their league standings.

Particularly the plucky Championship sides, London Broncos, Toronto Wolfpack and Toulouse celebrated surprise triumphs all over top-flight outfits.

Hull KR were one of the victims in what has proved to be a captivating couple of days, but shot themselves in the foot with a woeful performance – for the best part of an hour – in France.

Saturday’s 34-23 defeat to Sylvain Houles’ team has plunged Tim Sheens’ men into real trouble.

There’s no beating around the bush, Rovers have to now rely on other teams to save their Super League status as well as do their bit by beating already-relegated Widnes this Sunday.

The inquest began soon after this loss but the ‘band aids’, as Sheens described post-match, will be out in abundance as KR look to heal their scars as quickly as possible.

The Robins were 19-0 ahead in the opening half hour, and in control of proceedings, but the battling French hosts were superb in the final 50 minutes to deservedly take the spoils which puts them Tries: Mulhern, Hall 2, Atkin; Goals: Tickle 3/3, Hall 0/1; DG: Mcguire right in the mix for the Million Pound Game.

As it stands, Rovers will host Toulouse in the knockout fixture in just under a fortnight’s time.

Sheens had every right to be furious post-match, describing his mood as the angriest he has felt during his Robins reign.

Even the experienced Australian couldn’t paper over these huge cracks which appeared at the weekend.

Ben Crooks missed out through concussion after failing to travel with the team, with Joel Tomkins coming in at centre.

Danny Mcguire also returned to the starting line-up. Rovers hadn’t beaten Toulouse in their previous two encounters but began like a house on fire on a sweltering France evening.

Robbie Mulhern’s slow grind to the line saw the prop touch down after just five minutes, and before the ten-minute mark had arrived, Craig Hall sprinted 70m to intercept a Toulouse pass and score for

12-0.

The hosts were frustrated with their inability to keep possession intact, and Rovers were in ruthless mood.

Worse was to come for the Championship outfit, when William Barthau was shown a yellow card by referee Ben Thaler for dissent, just minutes after Mose Masoe was denied a four-pointer for obstruction.

Reduced to 12 men, Toulouse were unable