Rookie Tate’s relishing his game time at the Robins
IT has been a whirlwind first month for Will Tate as a Super League player.
The 18-year-old made his debut at full-back against Leeds Rhinos before moving to the wing for the game at Huddersfield Giants, where he opened his tryscoring account at first-team level.
Tate switched between the two positions on his next outing in Perpignan and was one of Hull KR ’s better performers that night.
The versatile back had a coronavirus scare last week, initially receiving an inconclusive result before being given the all-clear after a retest.
It has been an eye-opening experience but one the teenager has savoured.
“It’s going really quickly, a lot has happened in a short space of time,” he said.
“That’s partly to do with the situation and all the fixtures being close together. All my opportunities came really close together and I had a good run to be able to work on things and get a bit of confidence.
“I’m just looking forward to getting any opportunity I can. When I got called into the squad, I wasn’t expecting anything particularly.
“I was just looking forward to having the experience of playing at some point maybe but generally being around the lads and getting used to the set-up and getting a feel for the firstteam environment. I’m enjoying it.”
As well as making his debut behind closed doors, there were muted celebrations when he touched down for the first time due to stringent rules.
“It was a funny one,” Tate said. “You’re used to scoring and getting up and there’s people patting you on your back but you obviously can’t do that at the moment.
“As much as it was a good moment for me, we were looking to get the ball back quickly to try get back in the game. It’s nice to look back on.”
Tate made his fourth appearance against Wakefield Trinity yesterday afternoon, an important game in KR’S bid to avoid the wooden spoon.
“I feel like it’s a bit of a blessing that I can be considered for more than one position,” he said.
“I’ve always played multiple positions. I played four or five positions growing up so moving between positions doesn’t really concern me.
“I really don’t have a preference either way. Any opportunity I can get, I’m just looking forward to getting out there and doing the best I can wherever I play on the pitch.”