BRING IT ON IF YOU DARE’ Buckling Broncos warning to drop rivals
TONY SMITH has released the relegation pressure valve with a day at the seaside and a chippy dinner.
The Hull KR coach (above), who is expected to sign a permanent deal later this season, is convinced it will help his players, who meet Castleford this afternoon, cope.
He said: “We’ve been to Bridlington and done some alternative training. The boys finished up in the ocean and we followed that with fish and chips.”
Smith also invited players’ families to join them at 10-pin bowling to try to relax the squad with six games left.
Only their better points difference is keeping them ahead of bottom side London.
Hull KR v Castleford Today, KO 3pm
Catalans 30 Warrington
BLAKE AUSTIN could be a major doubt for the Challenge Cup final clash with St Helens in three weeks.
The Warrington star limped off with an ankle injury in a bad-tempered match against Catalans that saw the home side’s Micky Mcilorum and Sam Tomkins sent off after a mass brawl at the end. DANNY WARD has urged London’s relegation rivals to bring it on if they dare.
The Broncos are in the thick of one of the tightest fights for survival that Super League has seen for years.
But Ward says his basement battlers are revelling in the drama – because their fate is in their own hands.
They face Salford at home today and in the run-in, over the next five games, they face three danger-zone rivals.
Head coach Ward insists his side, surprisingly promoted from the Championship last year, are confident of taking scalps as the pressure mounts.
He said: “We play a few teams around us so it is going to be pretty exciting. It could go to the last day but nobody wants that – we’d like it to be done and dusted d dbf before then. h But while hl it is mathematically possible we are happy with where we’re at.
“We’re a good bunch and if we lose we don’t get carried away and the same if we win. The mood is pretty good after beating St Helens in our last game.”
London are joint-bottom on points difference and have lost twice already this season to Salford, who have hopes of sneaking into the play-offs.
But Ward is determined to win today and claim bragging rights over Red Devils boss Ian Watson. The two young coaches have been picked as assistants to Wayne Bennett for this year’s Great Britain Lions tour Down Under.
Ward added: “They have done a pretty good job on us twice. Ian has done a fantastic job. Hopefully I can get one on the board before we get to work together.”
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