HALL OR NOTHING
Winger Ryan admits Hull KR were shocked by Smith decision to stand down but insists they must keep powering on without him
EXCLUSIVE
Hull KR v Wakefield Trinity BetFred Super League, KO 3pm PROLIFIC winger Ryan Hall says Hull KR just “have to live with” Tony Smith’s shock decision to stand down.
The Robins today host Wakefield seeking a sixth straight win. But they are still reeling from head coach Smith’s announcement that he will be leaving at the end of the season.
He told his unsuspecting players minutes before revealing his decision to the media on Wednesday. And England star Hall, who also worked under Smith (above, left) for Leeds and the national side, said: “We were shocked but that’s sport, isn’t it? Expect the unexpected. Things happen like that in sport.
“Things are going well in the team at the moment so we just have to live with it and move on at the end of the season. Let’s make the most of it while he’s still in charge and hope he can get the best out of us while he can.”
Smith (top right) has helped transform Hull KR’s fortunes over the last three years but he hinted at disagreements with chief executive Paul Lakin as the reason behind his decision.
On the field they are flying having reached the Super League semi-finals last term, and they face Huddersfield in a fortnight for a place in the
Challenge Cup final. Brad Takairangi (below) is in KR’s 21-man squad today for the first time since receiving a 12-month suspended jail sentence. The former New Zealand centre, 32, crashed into a police car as he drove the wrong way on a dual carriageway while drunk. Asked what Takairangi’s frame of mind is like, Hall said: “Obviously, he’s got a bit going on in his personal life and he’s working on that. “That’s got to be respected. You can’t expect him just to drop all stuff off the field to concentrate on rugby again.
“So it’s going to take him some time to get back to what he can do. But it’s good he’s coming back as he’s one of our overseas players and we’d like to think they’re in the better end of our player spectrum. He does have quality there. We just need to get that on the field.”
Whether Takairangi plays today remains to be seen.
Opponents Wakefield, who have conceded 124 points in losing their last three games, are desperate to rediscover form.
And their winger Tom Johnstone, currently out of Shaun Wane’s England plans, has been included in the Combined Nations All Stars’ 29-man squad to face England on June 18.