Hull KR are emerging as the main chasers behind Super League’s top two sides Wigan Warriors and St Helens but one pundit has now claimed that the Robins aren’t just there to make up the numbers but are actually ‘genuine contenders’ to land silverware this season.
Silverware hasn’t been a thing for Hull KR in a generation, discounting the Championship League Leaders Shield after their relegation in 2016, but it’s a prospect that’s back on the horizon under head coach Willie Peters.
Since the Australian took over ahead of the 2023 season the Robins have been arguably the third-best and most consistent team across all competitions but they still don’t have a trophy to show for it. However, that could change this season according to former Wigan, Warrington, Huddersfield and Salford star Kevin Brown.
Brown was speaking on The Sportsman’s Youtube channel on their Last Tackle show and was asked if Hull KR have emerged as ‘genuine contenders’ this season, something that the former playmaker has attested that they are.
Quiz: Can you name every Man of Steel winner from the Super League era?
Are Hull KR ‘genuine contenders’ this season?
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On talk of the Robins being contenders, Brown said: “They are, and I think you can see how much confidence they’ve got with the disappointment when they got knocked out of the Challenge Cup. That really hurt Willie Peters and his team, and now they’re focused solely on the league.”
He continued, explaining: “They’re sat third, I think they’re really well placed for a tilt of the second half of the season. The right edge has been questioned a couple of times but I thought the weekend against Huddersfield, Tyrone May and Peta Hiku in particular looked sensational. I really do think that the balance of that side is a dangerous one for all the top teams come the end of the year.”
Hull KR have got an issue on their right edge currently and that is the fact the second-rower James Batchelor is out injured and expected to miss five weeks, as confirmed by the club earlier this week.
That was somewhat evident last night with Castleford Tigers pushing the Robins all the way at Wheldon Road. Hull KR did manage to get over the line but it was a far-from-vintage performance and one that certainly saw them miss their star second-rower.
Moreover, Castleford managed to score their opener on that right flank that has so often been exposed defensively with Batchelor oftentimes being the defensive rock when protecting centre Peta Hiku and his winger, either Joe Burgess or Jack Broadbent as it was last night.
Despite the subpar performance, Hull KR scraped through 13-12 and perhaps that is a testament to the old adage that good teams win ugly, just as Wigan did against Castleford last week when they won 10-8. Maybe, just maybe, Hull KR are genuine contenders.
