Smith delivers his verdict on under-par Rovers’ Cup exit
HULL KR boss Tony Smith was not impressed with his side’s disappointing 25-4 Challenge Cup semi-final exit to Huddersfield.
The Robins stuttered to defeat as their attack misfired once again, resulting in a resounding defeat.
“The first ten or 15 minutes were dreadful,” Smith said.
“We talk about building and we were hoping to build but it was really panicked. We pushed things and overplayed. We went through a period of weeks on end where we were building games better and we felt like we were getting on top of some of that and how necessary that is against this team as they’re methodical in how they go about things and wear you down.
“You’ve got to have a certain amount of back and forward and hope to create opportunities but when you’re defending in your own area for sets on end and you spend too much that period of time, it has a toll on you and you run out of energy, skill and when you do need to do something extra special chasing the game.” He continued: “It’s not how we can play, it was disappointing, we had every intention, we practiced well, coaches tell you that every week, but we did.
“We’ve been practicing well and I thought we were more energetic than last week. Last week we were flat and a lot were after Easter but I thought we were more energised with signs from the players who had a big Easter.
“I’m going to say to you, it doesn’t matter how much energy you have if you start that way and put pressure on yourselves. Errors and where they were, what tackles they were, some decisions they made and that are just, they haven’t made much of that this year. That was the disappointing bit, some who have played much better didn’t put their best up today, trying, but trying too hard at times.”