Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May will have to alter their games in order to make up for the absence of Hull KR skipper Elliot Minchella this weekend. That’s the belief of Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin who has outlined the adaptations KR might have to make when they take on Warrington Wolves on Friday night.
The Robins will host Warrington in the semi-finals of the Super League play-offs, with the winner progressing to the Grand Final, which will be played at Old Trafford in less than a fortnight’s time. Of course, Willie Peters’ side had last weekend off after finishing second in the regular season, while Warrington played out a thrilling contest with St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
They eventually got the win in golden point extra time with a George Williams drop goal settling the tie. The Wolves’ tails will be up then as they head to Craven Park and the absence of Rovers skipper Minchella will give them even more encouragement.
After seeing two separate appeals turned down, Minchella will serve the second game of his ban this week. That’s a big blow for the Robins, of course, with Minchella’s impact over the course of the campaign seeing him named in the Super League Dream Team and KR may have to make adjustments in his absence.
“Is it Mikey Lewis’ year? Because if he (Minchella) is not there then Lewis and May are going to have to do something, they’re going to have to play a little differently,” Wilkin said on Sky Sports.
“Mikey Lewis has just been so good all year and every time you need to come up with something, he’s excited us and he’s delivered. It could just be the stage set for him and George Williams.”
Pushed on how Hull KR can cope without Minchella, he added: “It’s just effort though. Batchelor and Hadley have got a big job on.”
Sam Tomkins concurred: “I think he’s that big of a loss. It doesn’t matter if they found out on Wednesday last week, two weeks ago. It doesn’t matter. I think Minchella has been right at the heart of what Hull KR do.
“He’s one of the players that epitomise how they play. They play smart and he’s very intelligent with the ball. I think the loss of him will be a huge, huge blow to Hull KR next week.”
He added: “I’ve said before that there is no better place for atmosphere than Hull KR. I can’t wait for next week, I’ll be buzzing like a fan.”
