Hull KR forward Korbin Sims voices his intention to improve in 2022

In 2021, Hull KR defied the odds. Having been tipped by many to struggle in a relegation battle against the likes of Leigh, the Robins played some of the best rugby in the competition last season which took them all the way to the play-offs.

A 19-0 win over Warrington away even sent them to the semi-finals but Old Trafford was one step too far as they lost to Catalans.

So, the sky’s the limit for them in 2022 based on Tony Smith’s previous track record and the arrival of star signing Lachlan Coote.

Thus, 2022 could be an even better season for the Robins, and former NRL forward Korbin Sims certainly is expecting big things for the club and a better season from himself.

Last year he joined Hull KR with a lot of hype but it’s always difficult adjusting to a new club especially so during a pandemic and in an interview with the club’s official website he admitted he wasn’t entirely happy with his performances last year: “2021 personally wasn’t my best year, I know that and the coaching staff know that. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the rest of preseason and 2022. It’s a pretty exciting time with a few new lads coming and with what we did in 2021

“With Covid last year, it limited us to what we could do as a team socially. That’s the big thing when you’re trying to grow a team together – you have to do things other than football.

“Everyone this year is focused and there’s a great crop of young dudes coming through, there are exciting things to come. Tony [Smith] has a plan for how he wants the team to go. I’ve got experience behind me and knowledge under my belt. I’m more than happy to help those young lads be that burst of energy the team needs.”

That said, he also stated that he expects ‘a lot more’ from himself in 2022. Alongside the likes of Albert Vete he could help provide Hull KR with a brilliant platform in 2022 if he can play to his absolute best.

In the interview he said: “I know my personal standards and in 2022 there’s going to be a lot more coming. My body is feeling good, I’m looking forward to ripping in and starting 2022 off with a bang.

“We’ll get through the first couple of trials then get stuck into the first half of the season. Not only me personally but as a team, we want to really stamp our authority on the back of what we did last year because we know we can do a lot better than that.”

Getting the best out of himself also depends on the environment around him and Sims had plenty of positive things to say about his teammates including some of the new signings: “We feed off each other, train together, and pretty much live together – it’s an exciting time to be involved with the club. Frankie (Halton) has been really good and he’s fit straight into our group. Sam Wood he’s been really good on the edge, he’s a livewire and a tall drink of water too, so he’s going to give us some height on the edge.

“From his point of view, learning from Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, and Kane Linnett on the edges – he’s [Sam Wood] got some great people to work with. I want to try and help these younger lads coming through the middle. We’ve got plenty of middles that learned from last year’s success and failures. We know the younger guys that are coming through can come to us and ask questions to help them out, I’m excited for that this year.”

If Sims, a brilliant forward, can improve in 2022 he could even push for a place in the Super League Dream Team and potentially help Hull KR repeat the success they achieved in 2021.

You can read the full interview here.