Half-backs sure to be tested in 2021
Tony Smith is set to put his faith in Hull KR’S young half-backs next year. Rovers signed five halves ahead of the 2020 season but there will be no repeat of that recruitment drive.
Ryan Brierley and Jamie Ellis have departed, leaving Jordan Abdull, Mikey Lewis, Joe Keyes and Rowan Milnes as Smith’s options for 2021.
Smith recently declared himself happy with his current half-backs as he all but ruled out bringing in another playmaker.
All four players featured in 2020 but it was a thankless task behind a struggling pack.
Expectations have increased after Smith strengthened his side with the signings of Albert Vete, Ryan Hall, Korbin Sims and Muizz Mustapha, which should help provide a stronger platform.
Here, the Mail takes a look at the four players who will be vying for the half-back spots.
Jordan Abdull
If fit the 24-year-old is virtually guaranteed to start the season at stand-off and he will be hoping for more luck in the early part of 2021.
Abdull sustained shoulder and ankle injuries in February, which restricted him to one Super League start before the shutdown.
The former London Broncos playmaker had to wait until September for his next start and made up for lost time with a superb performance in the win over Wigan Warriors.
Abdull struggled thereafter as Smith chopped and changed but he certainly contributed on the whole, ending the year with three tries and 10 assists in just 11 outings.
If the forwards give the backs a platform next season, Abdull has the ability to be a consistent matchwinner.
Mikey Lewis
The club have high hopes for the teenager and he showed flashes of his potential after the restart.
Lewis was outstanding in the golden-point defeat to St Helens and scored two tries from full-back in the win over Salford Red Devils.
He came off the bench at hooker against Castleford Tigers but it was a chastening evening for the youngster.
This year has been a good learning experience for Lewis and he will be looking to make the scrum-half spot his own next year.
He has the running game, it is now a case of improving his game management and defence.
Joe Keyes
The former London and Bradford
Bulls half-back was very much in Smith’s thoughts after making an impressive start to life at Craven Park in pre-season.
But Keyes sustained a knee injury just after Christmas and that set the tone for a hugely frustrating first season with the club.
The 25-yearold made only five appearances and failed to leave his mark, although he did show some promising signs. Keyes looks to have a good kicking game and has more experience than his rivals for the scrum-half role.
Staying injury free during preseason will be the key for the London-born playmaker.
Rowan Milnes
The 21-year-old was all set to spend the year back with Bradford before coronavirus struck.
Milnes rejoined Smith’s squad at the start of September after the Championship season was cancelled and it was a case of learning on the job.
He was thrown into a struggling side in Perpignan, which was not only his Super League debut but a first outing in almost seven months.
Milnes laid on two tries with neat passes in his two starts but overall it was a tough initiation for the youngster. Lewis and Keyes appear to be above Milnes in the pecking order but a lot can change during pre-season.