Smith: New signings have great attitude
HULL KR have picked up where they left off at the start of pre-season with Tony Smith impressed but not surprised by the way the new signings have slotted straight in.
The bulk of Smith’s squad reported to Craven Park last Monday, joining the group of youngsters and new faces that started training the previous week.
Rovers are aiming to kick on after finishing sixth in Super League last season and the early signs are promising.
“It’s been really good and they’ve been really impressive,” Smith told the Mail.
“They’ve come in with a great attitude and are working hard, mucking in together and getting to know each other, the new boys.
“The boys that have been here for a while are setting some really good examples, and have been ever since they’ve been here.
“We’ve got great levels of attitude in how we go about things. The new guys have fitted in really well.
“There’s a great atmosphere in amongst the players and coaching staff. I’m delighted.”
The camaraderie within the squad was a key factor in the Robins making the play-offs in 2021, epitomised by the remarkable win at Warrington Wolves with a heavily depleted side.
Rovers have tinkered with the squad for 2022 but Smith was selective, putting character above anything else in the club’s recruitment drive.
Tom Garratt, Greg Richards, Frankie Halton and Phoenix Laulutogaga’e are all highly motivated after stepping up from the lower leagues, while Lachlan Coote and Sam Wood were ready for the challenge of a new environment.
Smith expects togetherness to be the hallmark of his team again next season.
“They have come with a lot of enthusiasm,” he said on the fresh faces in the squad.
“They’ve come here to improve their own careers and get better. They’re doing all those things.
“I’m really impressed by them. They’ve got terrific attitudes. That’s why they’re here - if they didn’t have a terrific attitude they wouldn’t have been invited to join this crew.
“We’ve had a really good hardworking group and a very committed group.
“First and foremost they needed to have the right attitude. After that they needed to have some talent in rugby league as well.
“We feel we can help them improve that part of it. They’ve certainly brought the right sort of attitude to get better and to make us better as well.”