Hull KR’s approach ‘refreshing for the game’

Leeds head coach Richard Agar has heaped praise on Tony Smith and Hull KR ahead of the sides Challenge Cup clash this weekend.

Despite sitting bottom of the Super League table, Rovers have excelled since the restart playing an exciting free-flowing brand of rugby league.

It’s a style that has seen them beat Wigan and go within a point of champions St Helens in consecutive weeks, with the Rhinos coach very aware of the threat posed by Smith’s men.

“The signs have been there but the last two or three weeks have seen them become more comfortable in what works for them,” said Agar.

“It is a challenging style of attack you have to defend against, especially against the rule changes too.

“It is making people look and think ‘look at what these guys are doing here’ because it is working and causing teams some major problems.”

Hull KR’s tactics has gained them many admirers, including Agar, and the Leeds boss believes the removal of relegation from this year’s competition has helped them showcase their expansive style.

He added: “I think the fact that there is no relegation on, it takes a little bit of pressure off for anyone to try something different, which I think has been really refreshing for the game.

“However, I will go back to February and I think that Hull KR caused us plenty of problems on the night, even though our attack was pretty good from ourselves.

“This is the flip side of not having relegation. They stuck with some players, brought some kids through and have been able to stick with a different style and now everybody is saying ‘let us have a look at this’.”