Covid delay should help spark great season, says KR’s Smith Wat a way to arrive for Open
TONY SMITH is tipping Super League to restart with a bang – thanks to the Covid rescheduling.
The new season has already been delayed until March and it’s likely to be postponed even further, until the end of that month.
But Hull KR boss Smith (above) said: “It means a long pre-season and many players are grateful.
“Hopefully that will help ward off injury risks and also there will be good, skilful rugby when we return.
“Conditions aren’t usually conducive to open rugby when you start in early February. I hope we can be better, quicker, in March.”
Rovers flopped last term, after Mose Masoe suffered a career-ending spinal injury in pre-season.
Smith added: “A lot of players were getting counselling for some time too. Some struggled but Sporting Chance were fantastic in coming in and helping us.”
New signings Albert Vete and Brad Takairangi are due to arrive in the next few weeks, when their visas are approved.
HEATHER WATSON is among 47 players to be confined to their hotel rooms ahead of next month’s Australian Open.
A passenger on Watson’s flight into Melbourne from Abu Dhabi on Friday was found to have coronavirus.
The 28-year-old (above) will now have to quarantine for a fortnight while rival players are allowed five hours’ practice each day.
Fellow Brits Johanna Konta, Dan Evans and Cameron Norrie were not on an affected flight, and Andy Murray, who tested positive last week, still hopes to compete.
CHINESE whiz kid Yan Bingtao sprung a huge upset to end Stuart Bingham’s defence of his Masters title.
Debutant Bingtao battled back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to clinch a 6-5 triumph in a gripping semi-final showdown in Milton Keynes.
The 20-year-old now faces either double Masters champion John Higgins, or former World Championship semi-finalist David Gilbert in today’s final.
“Today I played really well, I made so many excellent long pots,” Bingtao said. “Hopefully I can win the title.”