‘Gifted’ Inu and ‘solid’ Hanbury hailed by Betts
● WIDNES boss Denis Betts has praised the contribution of centre Krisnan Inu who joined the club from Catalans in the closed season.
Inu’s second half try double against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday played a big part in the Vikings’ 23-6 victory over the defending Super League champions at the Select Security Stadium. The 30-year-old has now scored five tries in four top-flight games for Widnes and Betts believes there’s more to come.
He said: “He’s difficult to keep out close to the line. For a very big man he’s really athletic.
“He’s gifted, he’s got a short kicking-game and he’s really dangerous in the air.
“What we’ve not seen yet is he’s got a really good passing game and Stef Marsh will really benefit from his ability to create some space and pass the ball.”
Another man in Betts’s good books this season is full-back Rhys Hanbury. The Australian was in superb form against the Rhinos and racked up some impressive statistics in the match. According to Betts, it was reflective of Hanbury’s general contribution so far in 2018.
He added: “Rhys made about 220 metres in 16 or 17 carries – it was the Rhys of old in a lot of ways. He was punching holes around the edge of the ruck and overall his game was really solid. I’m really pleased with his defensive efforts this year.
“He’s put himself in the line, his communication’s gone up another notch making our shape a lot better defensively. His overall game has really improved this year.”
Meanwhile, both prop Jay Chapelhow and second-row Chris Dean will miss tomorrow’s trip to Wigan after picking up injuries in the Leeds game. However, former Wigan prop Greg Burke is back in contention and fellow front-rower Alex Gerrard is named in the 19-man squad for the first time this season.
Australian centre Charly Runciman, an ever-present for the Vikings in 2017, also returns after missing the last two games with a throat injury.
Sunday, March 1, 1987 TRAILING 7-0 to Leeds in a third round Challenge Cup tie, Widnes fought back to clinch a place in the semi-final with a 14-7 win.
Leeds seemed to run out of steam after the break and within two minutes of the restart Widnes were back in business when Steve O’Neill sent brother Mike charging to the line.
John Myler’s conversion and a penalty 10 minutes later put the Chemics ahead for the first time.
In the closing minutes, Leeds full-back Andrew Ettingshausen attempted to chip Rick Thackray but the winger leaped to catch the ball and sprinted to the line with another Myler goal finishing the scoring. ● WIDNES VIKINGS: On This Day is available now at £9.99 from the Vikings Superstore. ● ● WIDNES VIKINGS ...................... 23 LEEDS RHINOS ............................. 6
TWO second half tries from in-form centre Krisnan Inu helped put the skids under Leeds Rhinos as they were beaten 23-6 at the Select Security Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Inu was not the only stand-out performer in a Widnes side which turned a 6-4 half-time deficit into a comfortable win over the reigning Super League champions.
Full-back Rhys Hanbury terrorised the Rhinos’ rearguard with his pace from the back, back-rowers Tom Olbison and Matt Whitley regularly bent back the opposition defensive line and Papua New Guinean prop Wellington Albert showed signs of what he can bring to the party.
Speaking post-game, Vikings’ head coach, Denis Betts, said: “In the first half we were a bit scrappy.
“We just lacked a bit of composure in our execution; our skill was just a bit off when we created opportunities.
“But I thought our determination and energy was good in that first half and in the second our skill level got better and we got over the line and put them under pressure.
“Krisnan’s an exciting player and when he’s on his game he’s unplayable, a real handful.
“We saw a few lads today really stepping up to the mark. I thought Matt Whitley and Tom Olbison were outstanding as well.
“Wellington Albert gives us something a little bit different.
“We just need to keep putting some legs into him to get him that little bit fitter and a bit smarter on defence but he gave us a real lift when he came on the field.
“Both the Chapelhow boys were good and across the board I can’t really see anyone who hasn’t contributed.
“Rhys Hanbury was like the Rhys of old. He’s found his rhythm and got good fitness in his game. He’s enjoying it and he’s confident in himself and he knows he can push into the line and make breaks and really get after sides. Defensively, not to concede in the second half, particularly when we had a player in the bin for 10 minutes, was really pleasing.”
Both sides went into the game missing a raft of first-teamers but it was the Rhinos who seemed to settle the quicker.
Brian McDermott’s men enjoyed some early field-position