‘WE NEED TO START BETTER’
DISRUPTED DAY NOT TO BLAME, SAYS HODGSON
DAVID Hodgson refused to blame a day of disruption for Hull KR’S 38-24 defeat to Castleford Tigers at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Hodgson was told he would be coaching the team yesterday morning after Tony Smith was forced to self-isolate due to track and trace protocols.
A trip to St Helens meant yet another long journey and the Robins were a victim of a long delay on the M62 yesterday afternoon.
Both teams spent hours on a coach and it was Castleford who handled it better as they stormed into a 24-0 lead after a delayed start.
KR fought back before the break and got to within six points of the Tigers thanks to tries from Robbie
Mulhern, Elliot Minchella and Shaun Kenny-dowall but ultimately paid the price for another slow start.
“It started from the journey over really,” said KR assistant Hodgson.
“Having to come off at Saddleworth Moor and take a massive detour around. But I suppose that’s the nature of it.
“You’re in the hands of the gods travelling all the way across the M62. As soon as you get a bang or a spill – I think it was an oil spill – the motorway gets shut and a journey that should take two hours takes three or four.
“But that’s no excuse. We need to start games better as a team. We showed we can play some good rugby at times and score some nice tries but we’re just giving teams a head start at the minute.
“It’s tough to drag that scoreline back. We almost did it but it was just a bit too late.”
Smith watched on from home and was in constant contact with Stanley Gene and James Deighton.
“Tony was at home and was speaking to Stan and JD in the stands, giving advice more than anything from what he could see,” Hodgson added.
“There’s no replays in the stadium so it was good to have him working from home. I had Stanley and JD in the stands helping me out. The staff have been outstanding today. Everyone has mucked in, players as well.”
Rovers lost Matt Parcell early on but the hooker returned and was one of KR’S better performers, scoring their fourth try late on.
“He had to come off in the first minute of the game with a dislocated finger and it just kept popping out,” said Hodgson.