Smith nearly missed win due to Covid test results
TONY Smith has revealed how close he came to missing Hull KR’S game against Salford Red Devils, with Stanley Gene ready to step in as head coach for the day.
Rovers received two inconclusive coronavirus test results on the morning of the match, throwing their plans into disarray with only 15 players available at one point before certain individuals were told they could play.
Salford discovered two of their players had tested positive late on, with several others having to stand down.
The game went ahead with a delayed kick-off and Smith was relieved to have been there to see Jamie Ellis kick a penalty on the hooter to snatch a 24-22 win for Rovers.
“I think they had three inconclusive tests, we had two,” said Smith. “I wasn’t sure I was coming to the game until 20 past nine this morning. That’s when I got clearance to coach today.
“Stanley who is kit man was going to be the head coach on the bench with Hodgo (David Hodgson) running the messages. So there you go.
“It tested the resolve of both teams. If you lose and say all those things it’s made out to be an excuse. Seriously I’ve changed my team four times since yesterday. That’s just the reality of it.
“I had a couple of blokes who thought they were playing this morning and were told they couldn’t, and I had another two players who I sent home from training.
“It’s no excuse, it’s just disruption. These are the things going on behind the scenes. Hats off to everyone involved.”
It was only KR’S third Super League win of the season and a much-needed boost after five straight defeats.
Smith gave credit to both teams for the way they handled a difficult day, as well as short turnarounds.
“We needed it and I’ve just thanked the players who backed up after a big trip on Friday,” said Smith.
“That performance was a bit demoralising and we’re down on confidence a bit at the moment so it was a good effort.
“In three weeks’ time nobody mentions anything about what the circumstances were. It’ll just be a W.
“Well done and well earned. Well done to Salford as well. They played on Thursday and have got a big match which could have been a distraction for them but you can see a club who are trying really hard and are on the up. They fought really hard until the end.
“As a game it looked like two teams that played last Thursday and Friday.”