Smith’s selection dilemmas to resolve for 2021
TONY Smith is close to finalising his squad for the 2021 Super League season as Hull KR build towards a mid-march start.
Rovers have reported back to Craven Park and there will be fierce competition for places in pre-season.
Here, the Mail takes a look at five selection questions Smith will have to answer before the start of the campaign.
TAKAIRANGI OR LINNETT IN CENTRES
Smith was hinting at moving Kane Linnett to the second row even before Brad Takairangi’s arrival, despite the Australian earning the Player of the Year award after a consistent year in the centres.
Like Linnett, Takairangi is capable of playing in the second row but made a home for himself at centre for Parramatta Eels.
Takairangi will be one of KR’S biggest strike weapons and finding his best position for the team will be one of Smith’s most important jobs in pre-season.
WHO TO LEAVE OUT
Ben Crooks, Linnett, Shaun Kenny-dowall and Greg Minikin made up the three-quarter line in the early stages of 2020 but somebody will have to miss out following the arrival of Ryan Hall. Crooks and Minikin are more than capable of playing in the centres but they appear most at risk of starting the season on the sidelines.
With Ethan Ryan also pushing hard for a wing spot, Smith will have some nice problems when everybody is fit.
ABDULL’S HALF-BACK PARTNER
Jordan Abdull appears to be assured of a spot if fit but the scrumhalf position is well and truly up for grabs.
Mikey Lewis is the current incumbent and it will be up to Joe Keyes and Rowan Milnes to prove they are worthy of a place in the halves.
Renowned for thinking outside the box, Smith could go for a leftfield option like Takairangi, Will Dagger or even Adam Quinlan.
WHERE TO PLAY LAWLER
Lawler has been a mainstay of the Rovers pack in recent years but is in between positions at the moment.
A back-rower by trade, the 2020 season saw the 25-year-old predominantly used as a prop, an area of the team that has been strengthened by the signings of Albert Vete, Korbin Sims and George King in recent months.
Smith must decide whether to make Lawler’s move to the front row a permanent one.
HOW TO USE HOOKERS
Rovers have strengthened the pack in the off-season and that is good news for Matt Parcell and
Jez Litten, two hookers who can be devastating on the front foot. Injuries meant Parcell and Litten were only in the same 17 twice in 2020, which made Smith’s job easier.
Both players have similar attributes and it is down to Smith to figure out how best to utilise the pair.