Hull KR will travel to Wigan Warriors on Saturday for a chance to make their first ever Super League Grand Final but they’ve been dealt a key injury blow.
Head Coach Willie Peters confirmed that prop Jesse Sue was “unlikely” to feature in the game this weekend against the League Leaders Shield winners Wigan.
Rovers have gone on an impressive run of form since losing the Challenge Cup Final, currently on a six game winning run and will certainly fancy themselves against Matt Peet’s side this weekend.
That’s in spite of them being viewed as major underdogs per the bookmakers with Super League’s betting partner Betfred pricing them as 9/1 outsiders to lift the Grand Final trophy, compared to their opponents Wigan as 13/8 favourites.
For Rovers to get to Old Trafford though they’ll have to do so without Jesse Sue it would appear with Peters confirming that he is likely to miss out, subject to scans.
Speaking to the media today ahead of his side’s visit to the DW Stadium, Peters explained: “He’s going to get some more scans on his adductor and hamstring again, so we’ll know more later on in the week, but it’d be unlikely that he’ll play. Dean Hadley’s back on track, which is good to play; so other than Jesse, then everyone else seems ready to go.
On Sue, Peters added: “He’s naturally frustrated. Jesse worked extremely hard to get back, and it was one of those he slipped early on in the game, so I’m hoping it’s nothing major because he got through the game; but one thing I know about Jesse is he’s a tough lad and if he’s struggling with an injury then there’s a genuine reason for that”
“We’ve sent him for scans, he needs to go for some more just to find out exactly what it is and the extent of it. It’s too hard to say at the moment where he’s at, but no doubt Jesse is frustrated; which is understandable because he’s worked extremely hard to get himself back.”
Sue had arrived at Rovers in the pre-season but missed a bulk of the year through injury, only returning of late and finding form too.
He starred in the playoff win over Leigh at Craven Park but will now likely miss the trip to the DW with both Dean Hadley and Rhys Kennedy being among the candidates to replace him.
Hadley is returning from injury whereas Kennedy was the 18th man for last week’s fixture and so could replace his fellow overseas forward.
On Hadley returning, Peters explained: “Dean’s done a wonderful job all year. Whether he started in prop, come off the bench, he’s even started in the back row as well, so no doubt he’ll do a job. He’s done a job all year for us and he’s been a very important part of our team and it’d be good to have him back. He’s got a few things to tick off but we’re hopeful.”
Rovers head into the game having played Wigan four times already this season, crucially having won the Challenge Cup semi-final, whilst the sole trip to the DW saw a much changed side.
During that game a young Robins side were hit for 64 against Wigan but Saturday’s game will almost certainly be closer.