Smith: Milnes has his big chance with Abdull being out
HALF-BACK TIPPED TO SHINE AFTER STEPPING INTO ROBINS’ VOID
Hull KR coach Tony Smith has ensured playmaker Rowan Milnes will undoubtedly benefit from the game time he has already received in 2022 and is on the right track to learning how to develop into a leading half-back.
Since making a move from Bradford in 2020, Milnes has only made 20 Super League appearances but has shown he has the potential to become a regular, with his sensational solo try in last year’s derby showing the level of composure and awareness he possesses.
Milnes has come under scrutiny recently as the Robins have looked flat in attack and struggling to create dents in the opposition defence.
Still, Smith believes the former Bradford star is ticking along nicely and learning to control different situations in good ball and bad ball as the current lead half-back, with partners Mikey Lewis and Jordan Abdull unavailable.
“Rowan’s got a big chance with Abdull out,” said Smith.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for him to nail down plenty of games. The only way to develop him is by playing, and that’s what he’s doing. He’s experiencing some tough times at the moment but also doing some good things.
“He’s learning how to manage games during different scenarios. All our young halfbacks are. The mix up in our spine hasn’t helped. But, our connections are slowly getting there. Rowan is learning a lot this year.”
Over recent weeks, the Robins have struggled with ball in hand, only scoring two tries in four games, but the stats show that Rovers are breaking into the opponent’s end of the field but are falling short at the final hurdle.
They are not doing a good enough job of breaking past the last line of defence to cross over the whitewash, something Smith also touched on
“We’ve had some early chances throughout the past four defeats,” he said.
“We just haven’t pulled off the final play.
“So we have to take our opportunities which we have done in the past, the combinations can take time to link, and that’s just not the playmakers.
“Take Luis Johnson, for example, in the back row.
“Him working with Milnes is different from working with Abdull, who’s used to Linnett.
“Same with Frankie Halton on the other side with Dagger. It is totally different. That’s the reality of what can happen over the season.”
As ever, the Rovers boss was upbeat when speaking about his side’s recent lack of guile and is adamant Rovers will come out the other end of this poor run better for it, starting this weekend against Salford.
“We are realists,” he continued. “Dips in form happen. But, most teams go through it and come through the better side. That’s the process of sport, and hopefully, we will come out the back half of the year stronger. That’s our approach, we all work our socks off and are committed to work through it.”
The style of Milnes’ game will flourish when partnered with Mikey Lewis, who could be back this weekend.
Their combination of speed and skill could bring out the best of Milnes, who will be ready to prove the doubters wrong against the Red Devils on Sunday.
HULL FC’S Manu Ma’u looks set to leave the MKM Stadium at the end of the Super League season.
The back-rower is in the final few months of his contract with the Black and Whites and it is understood there are currently no plans to offer him a new deal.
Ma’u is halfway through his third campaign with FC and his plans beyond this season are currently unknown.
However, he will be free to explore his options in the coming months and speak to clubs both in Super League and the Southern Hemisphere, should the 33-year-old opt to continue playing.
The Tonga international moved to Hull from Parramatta Eels ahead of the 2020 Super League campaign after being persuaded to leave the NRL.
Covid and the suspension of the season ensured he made just 13 appearances in his first season.
Since then, though, FC fans have been able to watch Ma’u play at his powerful best in Brett Hodgson’s second row.
He has shown form and consistency over the last two years and he isn’t far off making his 50th appearance for the club in all competitions.
The Black and Whites are continuing to make plans for the new season and it is unclear whether they intend to replace Ma’u with a new signing, despite showing an interest in Leeds Rhinos’ Alex Mellor earlier this month.
Both Andre Savelio, who is currently recovering from a ruptured ACL, and Jordan Lane will be at the club next year and Josh Griffin could make the move into the pack on a regular basis, too.
Griffin started the season in his familiar centre position but since his return from an ankle injury last month he has been used as a back-rower, stepping off the bench to feature against St Helens and Wigan Warriors.
Ma’u is one of several players out of contract this year and the club will continue to assess their retention and recruitment options over the coming weeks.
Josh Reynolds, Luke Gale, Danny Houghton, Josh Bowden, Joe Lovodua, Cam Scott, Mitieli Vulikijapani and Jordan Johnstone are also approaching the end of their current deals.