Dilemmas facing Smith as he finalises his squad
21 PLAYERS ARE SET TO FEATURE IN THE TRIAL GAME
TONY Smith is beginning to firm up his plans for Hull KR’S friendly against Castleford Tigers.
Rovers will host Daryl Powell’s side at Craven Park next Sunday in what will be their only trial game ahead of the 2021 Super League season.
Smith this week indicated that he is likely to use 21 players, meaning he has some difficult decisions to make.
The KR head coach said 26-27 players are in the mix, with recent academy graduates Charlie Cavanaugh and Tom Whur likely to miss out along with Jimmy Keinhorst and Anesu Mudoti.
If the Robins come through the next week unscathed and Smith has a fully-fit squad to pick from, Will Tate and Owen Harrison may also have to sit out the friendly.
With 17 players seemingly assured of a place in the matchday squad, that leaves eight players battling for four spots.
Here, we take a look at the potential make-up of the squad and the players who could be going head to head for the final few places.
Inked in: Adam Quinlan, Ryan Hall, Greg Minikin, Shaun Kennydowall, Ben Crooks, Jordan Abdull, Mikey Lewis, George King, Albert Vete, Korbin Sims, Jez Litten,
Matt Parcell, George Lawler, Kane Linnett, Brad Takairangi, Elliot Minchella, Dean Hadley
Likely to miss out: Owen Harrison, Will Tate, Jimmy Keinhorst, Anesu Mudoti, Charlie Cavanaugh, Tom Whur
POTENTIAL DILEMMAS Ryan or Dagger
The versatility in the squad makes it difficult to predict which way Smith will go, with Greg Minikin and Shaun Kenny-dowall capable of playing on the wing and Brad Takairangi and Kane Linnett options in the centres.
But it is unlikely that Ethan Ryan and Will Dagger will both miss out, two players who will put pressure on the starting backs this year.
Ryan continues to impress in training after making an encouraging start to his Super League career last year.
Dagger displayed his commitment and courage in his 2020 outings, not to mention his ability with the boot.
It is a tough call but it could be that Smith wants to see more of Ryan against Super League opposition.
Mustapha or Maher
Muizz Mustapha and Will Maher are two players who could find themselves watching KR’S Super League opener against Catalans Dragons from the stands if everybody is fit.
Mustapha has joined Rovers to get more game time and the nononsense prop should get plenty throughout the season.
The towering Maher showed some encouraging signs last year but has yet to convince that he is worthy of being a regular at Super League level.
It would be a surprise if Mustapha misses out, with the friendly the perfect chance to see what he can bring to the pack.
Storton or Johnson
This is potentially the toughest call
Will Dagger and one that could be avoided by going with an extra forward or even increasing the size of the squad slightly.
Matty Storton was thrown straight in at the start of 2020 and impressed but the young back-rower has not played much in the past 12 months.
Like Mustapha, Luis Johnson wants regular minutes after making the move to Craven Park and he will want to show how much he has improved since his loan spell in 2019.
It doesn’t make much sense to sign a player and not give him a run-out in pre-season, but equally it would be harsh to leave Storton out.
Keyes or Milnes
Smith has given little away on KR’S half-back situation and if anything he seems to be leaning towards left-field options.
Joe Keyes and Rowan Milnes will both be itching to get a hit-out and a chance to prove they can be the answer at scrum-half, assuming Jordan Abdull plays at stand-off.
Keyes endured an injury-hit first season, whereas Milnes got some unexpected Super League experience following his early return from Bradford Bulls.
Smith must weigh up how much he will learn about Keyes or Milnes in limited game time and whether playing the versatile Dagger is the better option.