KR aren’t stunning, but they are ticking along very nicely...
Whether Hull KR can finally secure silverware this season has been the question posed throughout the winter. Two games into the season, they have two wins to their name. You can’t ask for much more than that.
Do we know much more about their credentials than we did before a carry was run in? Probably not.
Nobody at Rovers would suggest they have been scintillating to date.
In fact, amid a raft of new star-studded signings that promise to deliver an edge to Rovers’ attack, it was the pugnacious attitude that served them so well last year that eventually got them over the line against Leeds Rhinos.
Rovers slogged, grafted and churned their way to a victory.
It wasn’t pretty and we certainly didn’t see the edges click into gear, but what we did see was a team that had the ability to win in a way that served them well so often last year.
There’s always a fear that when you look to address issues within a team, you can lose the qualities that made you a success in the first place.
Victory over Leeds proved KR still have the tenacity and workmanlike attitude they need to grind out victories. And that is essential.
You don’t win games like this without the ability to do that, and you don’t win matches at the end of the season without being able to handle attrition.
Rovers, in that sense, were excellent. They punched through Leeds and defensively, they contained the Rhinos well for large periods.
Leeds posed a counterattack threat, as proven by that spectacular Ash Handley try, but they had to do that because they couldn’t beat Rovers down the middle.
Everyone is desperate to see the attack fire but the unfortunate reality is that conditions at the start of the season often don’t allow for it.
Craven Park’s pitch had lumps missing from it by the end of Thursday night, a visual demonstration of the challenges players faced. It might be a while before we see the best out of some of the new players in the backs.
There has to be a degree of patience. The prime example is Peta Hiku, who has been
ROBINS ARE SHOWING PLENTY OF HOPE the subject of scrutiny after his tough performance with the boot in round one.
It was inevitable his display would be in the spotlight and after an unfortunate moment to forget at the start of the game, that was only amplified.
It’s clear that Rovers haven’t quite found a way to unlock his qualities at fullback yet; on a number of occasions, attacks were stifled once he got the ball in hand.
But while it’s easy to point the finger at the player in a new position, there were issues inside of him too.
Rovers didn’t sink deep enough into the Leeds defence and draw defenders, which would provide him space.
Ultimately, Hiku is still pulling his weight.
After topping the metre count last week, only Ryan Hall bettered his total of 148 in this game.
He was safe under the high ball and came up with the try that put the game to bed.
The same applies for everyone; Tyrone May was excellent defensively once again and Oliver Gildart carried for over 100 metres.
They might not be the qualities everyone looks out for but they’re so important.
To see the new additions contribute to last year’s mantra is a good sign.
This might not have been a dazzling display but it was a good one.
Rovers’ offensive ability will have its chance to shine as the weather improves. For now, they’re ticking along just fine.