Why patience is required for KR’S Maher
TONY Smith is hoping Will Maher can kick on after producing his best performance in Hull KR colours against Salford Red Devils.
The towering prop joined from Castleford Tigers at the end of last year and has made eight appearances either side of lockdown.
Maher has been a slow burner but enjoyed a breakthrough performance in Tuesday’s win over Salford, giving him a boost as he prepares for a reunion with his old club.
The 24-year-old ran with intent and got stuck in defensively, making 90 metres from 10 carries in addition to 27 tackles.
“I thought he was good and had a real impact in his first stint,” Smith told the Mail.
“He’s working hard. He’s not quite there yet and needs to add more of it but he definitely had his strongest game for us since he’s been in our colours.
“Hopefully he can build on that in his next outing.”
Maher is not the first big man to struggle to run his size, with St Helens prop Alex Walmsley an exception.
Walmsley, 30, has established himself as the best prop in Super League and time is on Maher’s side as he looks to follow a similar path to the former Batley Bulldogs forward.
“Alex Walmsley was around for a fair while before he cracked it,” said Smith. “He was a big guy running around in the Championship for a long time.
“He found a way to unleash his powers and abilities. Sometimes it takes a while for people to find it.
“Will’s still young, he’s only 24. If he can unlock it, reproduce it and continue to produce it, his best stuff is yet to come.
“Hopefully he’s unlocked it and he’s going to continue with that. It was good to watch.
“He’s 24 so in terms of prop development he’s probably, in many people’s terms, coming into his maturity and realising what he can do.
“Hopefully that’s the case with Will.”