Champions St Helens produced a performance befitting of the character of Mose Masoe. They were patient, smart and hard to break down. Hull KR made for good opposition and tested the Saints for long periods but the result was never in doubt.
Major Talking Points:
1. Regan Grace means business in 2021
Grace has been a talent since he scored that brilliant try against Wigan in 2017. Since then he has improved and improved becoming one of the league’s very best wingers but 2021 looks like being his best year yet based on his first two outings. He nailed every element of the game against the Robins tonight and scored twice. It was his first try that really stood out for me – not many others would’ve scored that.
2. Lachlan Coote watch out
One of the many things going St Helens’ way at the moment is the squad depth they boast. They have talented youngsters very capable of filling in such as Jack Welsby. The man who won the 2020 Grand Final for St Helens has started this year impressively putting down a real marker in the fullback spot. Tonight he churned out another very complete performance. Although Coote is perhaps the league’s best fullback he faces real competition from Welsby.
3. Hull KR did Masoe proud
Despite losing 25-0, Hull KR produced a valiant effort. They had to deal with going 10-0 behind early on, being a man down for a spell and losing Korbin Sims to a head injury. They defended heroically for long periods and tested St Helens in every department especially at the end of the first half. Against most teams they’d have been much closer to victory. In truth, the character shown by both sides reflected that of the former Saints and Hull KR prop the round is devoted to.
Playing Ratings:
Hull KR
1. Adam Quinlan – 7
2. Ben Crooks – 7
3. Greg Minikin – 6
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall – 7
5. Ryan Hall – 6
20. Mikey Lewis – 6
7. Jordan Abdull – 6
16. George King – 6
14. Jez Litten – 7
10. Korbin Sims – N/A
12. Kane Linnett – 7
13. Dean Hadley – 6
15. George Lawler – 6
Substitutes
9. Matt Parcell – 7
17. Elliot Minchella – 7
18. Matty Storton – 6
28. Muizz Mustapha – 6
St Helens
18. Jack Welsby – 8
2. Tommy Makinson – 7
3. Kevin Naiqama – 7
22. Josh Simm – 7
5. Regan Grace – 9
6. Jonny Lomax – 8
7. Theo Fages – 9
8. Alex Walmsley – 7
9. James Roby – 8
10. Matty Lees – 7
11. Joel Thompson – 7
12. James Bentley – 7
14. Sione Mata’utia – 8
Substitutes
15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook – 7
16. Kyle Amor – 7
19. Aaron Smith – 8
20. Joe Batchelor – 7
Huddersfield Giants
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Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers expecting flurry of signings
Warrington Wolves
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Castleford Tigers
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