Hull KR defeated Hull FC last night to start their season off brilliantly.
There was no two ways about it, Hull KR were easily the better side but they were helped by the ill-discipline of their rivals.
Hull FC lost Franklin Pele and Ligi Sao to red cards and on Sky Sports Jon Wilkin and Sam Tomkins felt there could have been a third red card for Herman Ese’ese’s high tackle which only yielded a yellow.
Wilkin said on Sky Sports: “We already know that there was always going to be a real focus on head contracts in 2024. The framework for me is simple. Was it forceful? Yes or no? And did he change direction? I don’t think there’s much mitigation. For me, on the pre-season, I think that’s lucky to be a yellow and not a red, from what I’ve heard from the referees.”
Tomkins added: “From everything I’ve heard and seen, that’s a red card. That could have been shown as an example of what will be a red for 2024. I don’t know why it’s not and the more and more I watch it I’m just trying to live see why we’ve not had two red cards.”
Willie Peters addresses problem after Hull FC win
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 25/05/2023 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 13 – Hull KR v Wigan Warriors – Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull, England – Hull KR coach Willie Peters is interviewed.
You may have thought everything would have been rosy then for Hull KR but they could have won by more only converting one of five tries.
This was raised to Peters after the game and he said: “Oh look, I mean for Penalty tonight he obviously didn’t kick the way he wanted to. He hasn’t kicked for a long time. The truth is that we don’t have a noted kicker that’s kicked year in, year out. So we’ve had to work hard on it. Obviously tonight it didn’t show that, but Penn will be better for it. We’ve got Batch and Mikey and Jez who can back up as well. It’s well known that we don’t have a goal kicker as such. That’s experience, so we’ll improve that.”
