Hull KR: Qualifiers preview
Friday 7 August 2015 20:48, UK
We take a look at Hull KR's Super League season so far, and preview their Qualifier hopes.
Story so far:
They’d have at least hoped for a spot in the Super 8s at the KC Lightstream Stadium in 2015, but it seems inconsistency is an infectious disease on Humberside this season. A scattergun approach to recruitment in the winter saw 14 new arrivals, with Shaun Lunt joining during the season, and it left the Robins as an unknown quantity before the competition kicked off.
But while there have been moments of brilliance - take the dominant 36-10 win over Warrington and a first Challenge Cup final in 29 years - Hull KR have not quite shown enough to really get above that all-important cut-off line.
What’s gone right:
Some of the new signings have put a real positive spin on Chester’s winter recruitment policy. Albert Kelly and Maurice Blair have impressed in the halves, and though Kieran Dixon is prone to a few monumental errors, he’s demonstrated plenty of the quality that had the pundits purring over his potential during his time with the Broncos.
Players like Josh Mantellato and Ken Sio give the backs an exciting feel and if KR can add a few more players like that to the ranks in 2016, then the right set of 8s should have KR’s name in it.
What’s gone wrong:
They’ve conceded an outrageous amount of points, 646 to be precise. To put that into context, that’s the second-worst in the league, above only Wakefield. They’ve taken hidings at St Helens, Salford, Huddersfield and Leeds, not to mention conceding 46 to their bitter city rivals at Magic Weekend.
And that’s before we start on the 60-0 defeat to Wigan that saw the Warriors rack up 12 tries. How can a side expect to compete if they ship that many points throughout a campaign?
Middle 8 chances:
There shouldn't be any problems for Hull KR in terms of beating the dreaded drop.
With home games behind them against Halifax, Wakefield, Bradford and Salford and a significantly stronger squad than those below them in Super League, never mind the ones challenging from the Championship, you’d expect Hull KR to be competing with Widnes to finish top of the pile, while looking wistfully on at those battling it out above them.
One to watch:
What a find Albert Kelly’s been this season. After Terry Campese’s season-ending injury, the half-back has stepped up to the plate, providing the focal point for his side in attack. He misses a few tackles, but then the best mavericks often do.
And considering he’s the top try scorer with 15, has provided the second-most assists with 10 and has made the most attacking kicks with 81, Hull KR will probably forgive him a few weak efforts if he can keep delivering on the front foot. A key man in the Middle 8s.
