Challenge Cup final: Hull KR wait on news on Albert Kelly's fitness
Monday 24 August 2015 19:50, UK
Hull KR coach Chris Chester says Australian scrum-half Albert Kelly is "touch and go" for Saturday's Challenge Cup final against Leeds and he will give him as long as possible to prove his fitness.
The former Gold Coast Titans half-back, who has enjoyed a tremendous first season in Super League, has not played since tearing knee ligaments in the 26-18 semi-final win over Warrington a month ago.
Chester said that he would not hesitate to play 19-year-old Matty Marsh, in what would be only his third senior outing, at Wembley if Kelly fails to pull through.
Chester, who has guided Rovers to their first Cup final for 29 years in his first full season as head coach, also said that he has yet to decide between Kieran Dixon and Ben Cockayne for the full-back role against the holders and firm favourites.
Marsh, who made his Super League debut as a substitute against Salford in June, was in the side that beat Widnes 12-8 on Sunday to preserve their 100 per cent record in the Super 8s Qualifiers.
"He's touch and go," Chester said of Kelly. "He's got a bad knee. He started running towards the back end of last week and we'll give him until Friday morning at the team run to prove his fitness.
"I was very impressed with the way Matty Marsh got the players around the pitch on Sunday. He's an exciting young talent and I'll have no hesitation throwing him in at the deep end.
"He's a level-headed kid who has worked hard to get himself into the position he's in. He's only 19 but he showed maturity beyond his years on Sunday."
Cockayne was at full-back in Hull KR's fifth-round 16-12 win at Wigan in May but Dixon got the nod for both the quarter-final against Catalans Dragons and the semi-final against Warrington.
Chester said: "It's a tough decision. I'll have another night to think about it. They are both really good full-backs who are bundles of energy and there is going to be at least one of them disappointed."
Cockayne said: "I'm not sure if a decision has already been made on that or not. we'll have to just wait and see. I've just got to hope and pray I get the nod.
"Our games are very different. We bring different qualities but it's definitely put an edge on the number one shirt in terms of the competition."
Chester will finalise his line-up overnight on Monday and tell his players on Tuesday, but is likely to keep it under wraps until Friday at least.
Leeds coach Brian McDermott sprung a surprise 12 months ago by naming his starting team for the final against Castleford but he was less forthcoming this time.
"We've got one or two people we just need to check on," McDermott said. "It will determine who comes off the bench.
"I could probably name my 13 now, which I'm not going to do. There are a couple of spots that we are going to fill on the bench."
Saturday's occasion promises to be an emotional one for Leeds, with veteran front row forwards Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai both retiring at the end of the season and skipper Kevin Sinfield switching codes with sister rugby union team Yorkshire Carnegie.
Sinfield will make history when he leads a team out for a seventh time in a Challenge Cup final, exceeding the record held by former Wigan skipper Eric Ashton, but he was quick to play down the significance.
"It's not about me," he said. "I'm looking forward to going out and playing the best I can and try to help the team do something special on the day. I think we've got a really determined group who are focused at this moment in time and I'm one of them.
"I'm aware my time as a rugby league player is coming to an end but it's two months before that happens."
