“Why would we rest anybody?” – Hull KR intent on Challenge Cup redemption despite major injury

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has named his 21-man squad ahead of their Challenge Cup fixture against Salford Red Devils.

Mikey Lewis failed a HIA during the victory over Huddersfield Giants in an incident that saw Jake Connor’s lower limbs make contact with Lewis’ head meaning he misses Friday’s game.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Peters said: “He’s not too bad. He’s in decent spirits.

“Obviously, he’ll miss the game this week, which is unfortunate for him and the team, but it certainly gives someone else another opportunity. He’s okay at the moment.”

The other change is George King missing out after picking up a hamstring injury in the game against Huddersfield, something Peters also confirmed explaining: “If George is hobbling then you know that there’s an injury there. He’s a tough, tough man. He’s put a lot of consecutive games together for us and it’s a shame that he’ll be missing.

“He’s not in a great deal of pain, but obviously if you run then you do a lot more damage. So, he’s in decent spirits, but it’s unfortunate for George and our team.”

He did offer signs of optimism though around replacing the Ireland international with the club blessed with plenty of depth in the forward pack. Peters noted:  “We’ve had a good rotation with our middles and pretty much the reason for that is I want our middles to put their hand up and say who’s going to be, who wants the longer minutes and who’s going to be our enforcer type front rower.

“I think Jai Whitbread has been outstanding playing long minutes. We started Jesse Sue last week, Sam Luckley’s come back and we know he had a really good season last year. He’s starting to come back in some form and get some game time under his belt. Sam will definitely play longer minutes.”

“We’ve got some bumps and bruises. There are some guys there who are tired after last game. It was probably the most ball-in-play that we’ve had. They’re an effort-based team as well, Huddersfield. So certainly, we’ve got some guys there that we need to manage this work.”

Joining the squad in their place are Louis Senior and Reiss Butterworth.

Butterworth spent the last two weeks on loan to London Broncos.

“Why would we be resting anybody?”

Hull KR lost in the Challenge Cup final last year, but they may be looking to go one further.

When asked about team selection and the notion of resting players to counter any possible injuries, the Australian said: “Why would we be resting anybody?

“We fell short last year when we made it to the final game. We want a taste of it again. Before I’ve come over, I’ve always respected the Challenge Cup and what it’s all about and being involved in it and going all the way to the final. You want to be part of that.

“It’s not about me, the players want to be part of it. They got a taste of it and There’s no doubt we’re going out this weekend to win. It’s a knockout competition and I find that with this team, every time we’ve been under pressure to win games, we’ve handled that pressure really well.”

Here is the full 21-man squad.

Hull KR 21-man squad

1 – Peta Hiku
2 – Niall Evalds
3 – Tom Opacic
4 – Oliver Gildart
5 – Ryan Hall
8 – Sauaso Sue
9 – Jez Litten
11- Dean Hadley
12 – James Batchelor
13 – Elliot Minchella
14 – Matt Parcell
15 – Sam Luckley
16 – Jai Whitbread
17 – Matty Storton
19 – Yusuf Aydin
20 – Kelepi Tanginoa
21 – Corey Hall
23 – Louis Senior
24 – Reiss Butterworth
27 – Tyrone May
35 – Joe Burgess