History ups the ante at KR clash
WHEN they arrive on Humberside tomorrow, many of the Salford squad will likely feel a range of emotions.
Craven Park was the scene of one of the most dramatic moments in the club’s recent history – on the field at least – but most memories of the Million Pound Game success are tinged with the disappointment at the Red Devils finding themselves in that position, pure relief at avoiding relegation or despair at the consequences it had for opponents Hull Kingston Rovers.
Contracts were cancelled and a rebuild required, but the Robins – under former Salford director of rugby Tim Sheens – earned promotion back to Super League from the Championship at the first attempt.
And when the Red Devils travelled there in July last year, KR duly despatched Ian Watson’s side, running out 52-22 victors.
However, the two sides met again a month later and Rob Lui pulled the strings to steer his side to a crucial 28-10 win in the first round of the Super 8 Qualifiers.
You could argue then that Salford have prevailed at Craven Park whenever it has truly mattered in recent times.
Just a month into the season, it’s impossible to insist there’s quite as much riding on the fixture this time round. But the result tomorrow could well have a significant bearing on the fortunes of each team going forward this year.
The Red Devils were impressive in the opening two weeks of the season, picking up wins against Huddersfield Giants and London Bron- cos, before the comprehensive defeat at home to Leeds Rhinos last weekend. It was a game in which Salford actually played well for the most part, but conceded multiple tries in two 10-minute periods. And with St Helens – seen by many as favourites to lift the Super League trophy at Old Trafford come October – arriving at the AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday evening, the Red Devils’ start to the season could be framed very differently this time next week. Whoever comes out on top tomorrow will have won three out of their four opening fixtures, an undeniably very strong start to the season for two teams widely expected to be struggling around the lower reaches of the table.
With that in mind, the match starts to take on greater significance than a traditional round four fixture between two well-matched sides.
There’s also the fact that KR are coached by Sheens, who had a significant influence in bringing in members of the Red Devils’ squad, and that there will be a number of familiar faces in the opposition lineup – Sheens’ matchday squad contains no less than two former Salford captains, Tommy Lee and Weller Hauraki, as well as Ryan Lannon.
Yes, it’s early in the season, but this could well prove to be a crucial fixture when we look back at 2019 as a whole.
It’s early in the season but this could well prove to be a crucial fixture when we look back at 2019 as a whole