HULLKRPREVIEW Bittersweet occasion for Rovers’ Tate in rerun against Leeds
NO LET-UP FOR SMITH’S ROBINS IN TOP-FOUR TEST
Hull KR will meet Leeds Rhinos for the second week today. Rovers will be determined to set the record straight after losing 48-18 in last week’s Challenge Cup quarter-final. Here, KR reporter James O’brien previews the game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Bittersweet occasion
Another week, another game against one of Super League’s top four.
Warrington Wolves, St Helens, Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos, Leeds Rhinos - a punishing schedule that would push any squad in the competition to its limit.
It is no surprise, then, that Tony Smith has made wholesale changes for today’s game.
Rovers were flat in last week’s Challenge Cup defeat to Leeds and the fresh faces should give his side an injection of energy and enthusiasm.
There is excitement about Will Tate’s debut, yet only a limited number of fans will be able to watch it with the match kicking off at 2.45pm after being snubbed by Sky Sports.
One of Smith’s main objectives when he took over last summer was to produce more homegrown players and the first shoots of progress will largely go unnoticed.
For the player himself and his family, it will be a bittersweet occasion as the 18-year-old launches his career surrounded by empty stands.
On the flip side, Tate will take his first steps into professional rugby league away from the spotlight and that may bring the best out of him.
He will certainly be eager to make an impression - as will the other fringe players on show - but it is a big ask for a muchchanged side against a strong Leeds team.
Nick Rawsthorne will make his Super League debut for Rovers, while Jimmy Keinhorst is in line for his first appearance of the year following his early return from his season-long loan at York City Knights.
In the pack, Kyle Trout, Will Maher and Owen Harrison have been brought in from the cold and they will need to produce big efforts; KR can’t afford to carry any passengers.
Whereas Smith has freshened his team up, opposite number Richard Agar looks set to pick his strongest available side and it could be a long afternoon for the Robins if the last two meetings are anything to go by.
On both occasions, Leeds won the energy battle from the first whistle and had the game in the bag by half-time.
There are no guarantees behind closed doors and it could be that the Rhinos deliver a flat performance in particularly strange circumstances. If they do, KR need to be ready to take advantage.
Unfortunately, everything is pointing to another comfortable win for the Rhinos.
Prediction: Leeds by 20 What they said Tony Smith:
They were good and solid in what they did last week but they didn’t have to be spectacular with what we enabled them to do.
That’s the great challenge of Super League and the Challenge Cup - to put back-to-backto-back-to-back-to-back performances together. We put together three good performances then came up way short last week.
We’re going to change a whole lot of players this week and give some fresh faces and legs an opportunity. Hopefully we’ll find some energy.
Richie Myler:
It’s always a bit weird when you play the same side again but it will be a totally different game and a totally different feel to it.
We had a good win in the cup but it’s back to 0-0. We need to focus on what we did well in that game and improve as well because we know it’s going to be a different challenge this week.
I’m sure Tony Smith will have them fired up to go all guns blazing at us.
One to watch out for
Rovers know what to expect from Leeds but shutting down their main threats is easier said than done.
Harry Newman is a real handful, as Kane Linnett discovered at the Totally Wicked Stadium, with the Australian saying since that the young centre “is very fast, has good feet and is quite strong”.
The 20-year-old displayed all those attributes on his way to the try line last week and KR will need to be on their guard.
Where Rovers can get at Leeds
Complacency could be an issue for the Rhinos after two comfortable wins over Smith’s side this year.
They have been front-runners in both games and it could be a different story if
Rovers get on top early. There is also the small matter of a Challenge Cup semi-final on the horizon, which could work in KR’S favour.
Team news
Tate has been handed his first call-up and there is a place for Keinhorst in a muchchanged squad.
Teenager Tate has made a real impression on Smith and is set to make his debut on the wing at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Rawsthorne is expected to make his first Super League appearance for Rovers on the other wing, with Mikey Lewis preparing for a switch to full-back.
Trout and Harrison come into the squad, while Harvey Livett and Maher will get a runout. Elliot Minchella and Mitch Garbutt return after missing last week’s Cup defeat.
Ryan Brierley is set to make his comeback from injury alongside Joe Keyes in the halves.
Ethan Ryan, Will Dagger and Matty Storton all drop out after suffering injuries at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Greg Minikin, Weller Hauraki, Dean Hadley and George Lawler have all been rested, with Matt Parcell among the other established players likely to sit out this week’s match.
Adam Quinlan and Ben Crooks remain sidelined by injury, while Jordan Abdull completes his two-match ban.
Adam Cuthbertson and Brett Ferres are back for the Rhinos but they remain without Brad Dwyer, Konrad Hurrell, Bodene Thompson and Corey Hall, who are all in quarantine.