Hull KR jump out of frying pan into fire but rolling dice only option

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josie andrews
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Hull KR jump out of frying pan into fire but rolling dice only option

Post by josie andrews »

Rovers are facing a hastily-arranged trip to Perpignan

Hull KR have jumped out of the frying pan into the fire.

Tony Smith’s side were due to travel to defending Super League champions St Helens this week but instead will face current leaders Catalans Dragons and everything that comes with a trip to Perpignan.

If ever there is a good time to play Saints, it is after an energy-sapping Challenge Cup victory that sparked celebrations that continued into the new week with an open-top bus parade.

It was never going to be an easy assignment amid a party atmosphere at the Totally Wicked Stadium but it was more favourable than taking on the formidable Dragons in 30+ degree heat in the south of France at short notice.

It is a tough ask at the best of times, let alone after a five-week hiatus that saw Covid-19 rip through Smith’s squad.

Rovers have rightly received praise for embracing the challenge knowing that it could harm their top-six chances.

But equally the club are conscious that they need to play 18 games to be eligible for the play-offs.

Having been stuck on 10 since beating Wigan Warriors in mid-June, KR are understandably willing to roll the dice.

A Catalans side with a 12-1 record will be heavy favourites in their own backyard but rusty or not the Robins will challenge Steve McNamara’s side.

If the Dragons have an overdue off day, Rovers could be celebrating a famous win by 7pm on Saturday night.

It is just a shame that nobody in this country will be able to see the game, unless they go above and beyond to travel out to Perpignan.

At a time like this – when fans are still pumping their money in despite seeing games postponed left, right and centre – surely every match should be available to watch in some form?


Changes need to be considered from top to bottom if the sport is going to avoid major damage during another challenging period.

KR have shown the way by switching opponents at three days’ notice but that kind of flexibility will not always be possible, particularly as the volume of postponed games increases, which seems inevitable.

As previously mentioned, something drastic will have to change to conclude the season with a shred of integrity, if at all.

For instance, should Rovers manage to make it to the magic 18-game mark there is a scenario where they could play Catalans and/or Leigh Centurions three times without playing Hull FC once. Then again, when was the last time it was a level playing field in Super League?

The first port of call is to get clubs to the threshold for play-off qualification.

In that respect KR are a long way behind their rivals, with some clubs preparing to play game number 15 this weekend.

By hook or by crook Rovers needed to play this weekend and they have gone out of their way to make it happen.

The next challenge is to solidify a place in the top six by leaving Perpignan with an invaluable win against the odds.


https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... me-5681693
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
fozzieskem
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Joined: Sat May 14, 2016 10:54 am

Re: Hull KR jump out of frying pan into fire but rolling dice only option

Post by fozzieskem »

Is it time to say let’s redraw the remaining fixtures and stop this ad hock approach?

Get the magic weekend full of derbys the true derby,the Hull derby Leeds and whoever make it mean something instead of the insipid collection of fixtures,there’s no excuse not too now the whole season is in danger of falling apart if it carries on like this.
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