Hull KR boss explains Arthur Mourgue decision as Challenge Cup Final headache expected

Wembley-bound Hull KR boss Willie Peters has explained why he didn’t recall star full-back Arthur Mourgue for yesterday’s Challenge Cup semi-final win against Warrington Wolves.

Mourgue hasn’t played since suffering a pectoral muscle injury during the Robins’ defeat of Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge three months ago.

He was named in the initial 21-man squad for Sunday’s Cup last-four clash, but Peters opted to stick with Jack Broadbent as his last line of defence and that decision was justified as the former Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers man had a fine game.

The coach revealed his French star was “close” to featuring, but insisted there was no need to rush him into the team.

“He is due back next week,” Peters said of Mourgue. “He trained this week and he actually looked really sharp, but Jack has been great for us and we felt we didn’t need to rush it.”

Rovers visit Leigh Leopards on Saturday and Peters stressed he hasn’t yet decided if Mourgue will play.

He said: “I’ll go through my normal process, ask the staff and coaches what they think and ultimately, I’ll make the final decision.

“Usually we are on the same page, but it’s going to be a difficult one for sure. It [competition for places] is what you want, but you don’t want to disappoint players when you know they could be in the final. We’ll just wait and see.”

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Hull KR coach set for Challenge Cup Final selection headaches

Another Frenchman, forward Jordan Dezaria, is the only name on Rovers’ casualty list and Peters admitted some tough decisions loom before the Wembley date with Wigan Warriors on Saturday, May 30.

He said: “Selection headaches are what you want and we have got selection headaches at the moment.

“We are a team, we are a squad and there’s a number of guys that aren’t playing that help prepare the guys who are.”

Peters felt his team produced a “Hull KR performance” in their dominant win against Warrington, but stressed they need to deal with two Super League games – at Leigh and home to Wigan – before they can focus on the final.

Even so, retaining the trophy would be a huge achievement and the coach admitted: “Going back to back in a competition is extremely hard to do and that’s where that next layer of what you are about as a team comes into play.

“The team we are playing have done it a number of times and there’s a healthy respect between the two clubs, I believe. I think it is a great opportunity for us to show how far we’ve come as a club.”