KR have reasons to be cheerful in 2022
As Hull KR settle into 2022, they have every reason to feel optimistic about the year ahead. This time 12 months ago it was more hope than expectation after a 2020 season to forget. As exciting as the signings from the NRL were, there was no escaping the fact that Tony Smith’s side were looking up at the rest of Super League.
The Robins are still scaling that mountain but can look back with pride on how far they have already travelled in a short space of time.
Smith is building a bold and spirited team around an exciting crop of youngsters that is complemented by genuine overseas stars, Lachlan Coote the latest on the back of winning a third straight title with St Helens.
With Elliot Minchella and Ethan Ryan back in the mix after an injury-wrecked campaign, there is excitement about what KR can achieve this season.
But there are no guarantees in rugby league, as the Robins can testify to.
Injuries are part and parcel of sport and Rovers have had more than their fair share over the years.
Last year was almost too good to be true with KR reaching August before injuries took a toll on Smith’s squad.
One constant from March to September was the left edge of Ryan Hall, Shaun Kenny-dowall and Kane Linnett, brilliantly orchestrated by Jordan Abdull for much of the season.
But for a torn deltoid that ruled Hall out of a return to Leeds Rhinos in the final round as well as the play-off eliminator against Warrington Wolves, the left edge would have played together for the full season.
The Robins certainly made the most of that stability and continuity with Hall, Kenny-dowall and Linnett accounting for 36 of the club’s 101 tries last year.
Abdull himself contributed six tries in his 16 appearances.
The left edge was the driving force behind the club’s run to the play-offs and will have a big say again this season.
But a dose of realism is required at the start of a demanding year.
It is unrealistic to expect the same output from a left edge with a combined age of
101: Hall recently turned 34, Kenny-dowall will join him later this month and Linnett is approaching his 33rd birthday.
All three men are supremely fit but niggly injuries tend to follow a player around in the twilight of his career, as evidenced by a slight groin issue that sidelined Linnett last week.
Rovers cannot afford to lean so heavily on their left edge in 2022, which will see Super League clubs play 27 rounds unless Covid has other ideas.
Not only will the Robins need to find more of a balanced threat - which means settling on combinations on the right - but also they must identify cover for Hall, Kenny-dowall and Linnett.
Ryan, Sam Wood and Luis Johnson would no doubt relish the chance to slot in on a prolific left edge and are all capable of keeping the machine ticking over.
In an ideal world Smith would be able to keep Hall, Kenny-dowall and Linnett fresh by picking the right times to rotate, thus losing only one at a time.
That will have short and long-term benefits as Rovers begin to plan for life without the experienced trio.
Playing all three men week in, week out is a luxury KR may well have to live without this season.
That means the rest of the team stepping up to ensure the impact of any disruption on the left edge is negligible.
With the rest of Super League on their guard in any case, Smith’s side must find other ways to skin the cat.
Coote - a player capable of providing a killer pass on either edge - will certainly help in that respect, while Mikey Lewis and Brad Takairangi have the tools to unlock any defence and with the benefit of stability could shift the focus to the right edge.
But for now, the left edge is king and must be managed to give Rovers the best chance of challenging for honours in 2022.