Against Huddersfield Giants in Super League Round Five, Hull KR boss Willie Peters made a big call.
He elected to move Peta Hiku to centre after starting the prior four games at centre with Joe Burgess moving onto the wing as Niall Evals replaced Hiku at fullback. Opacic was the man dropped within all of this.
This created a new look spine with Evalds alongside Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May and Jez Litten and it was a new spine that gave Hull KR more strike as they scored five tries and defeated Ian Watson’s side.
But Peters won’t be able to name the same spine against Salford Red Devils in the do or die Challenge Cup clash next week.
This is because star man Mikey Lewis has been ruled out after failing a Head Injury Assessment.
This would normally mean Ben Reynolds would likely come into the side for a debut after joining from Featherstone Rovers however he is cup tied.
Hull KR Mikey Lewis conundrum
Credit: Imago Images
Hull KR have a big decision to make on Mikey Lewis as the 2024 Super League season unfolds.
The Robins made the big call of bringing in Tyrone May and letting go of Jordan Abdull which has seen Hull KR left with two creative halfbacks and no general halfback.
The Robins have asked Mikey Lewis to do that job which has seen a problematic situation unfold for one of Super League’s most creative players.
This was highlighted by Paul Cooke on Sky Sports as he spoke about the reasons Hull KR lost to Salford Red Devils: “I thought that Marc Sneyd taught them a lesson last week. I thought that Sneyd showed both the Hull KR halves a lesson in how to manage a game but also how to adapt within that mate to the minute.
“I don’t think you can teach a player to be that kind of general. You’re either a general or a creative player and Mikey Lewis is one of the best in the league at being creative. I’m not sure it will work.”
Lewis will be back in time for the Hull derby on Good Friday.
