Hull KR head coach Willie Peters was asked plenty of questions about the club’s embarrassing loss in Las Vegas ahead of Friday night’s clash against Leeds Rhinos, and one of his answers hit home the hardest as he explained that he’ll get a sense of just how embarrassed his players are by how well they go and perform.
Peters was forthright in the aftermath of that 58-6 loss and he was forthright again on Tuesday as he spoke to the media, explaining that it’s now about actions and not words.
Mikey Lewis recently admitted that he still feels hurt by that defeat and when asked if he gets a sense of that feeling among the players, Peters called for less talk and more action.
“Only the players can answer that,” he said, adding: “It’s not so much talking around Vegas or what we did in Vegas. I’d like to see action. That’s the most important thing.
“I’ll get a good idea of how embarrassed we were through their actions on Friday night. I think that’s the best way to put it. I can sit here and talk as much as I want. I’m not out there playing.”
Peters went on to explain that it will be the players who dictate the result, something he noted that they’ve done well and had success with over the years before adding: “That was a day to forget.”
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Rhinos have their DNA back, warns Hull KR coach
That game in Las Vegas was the third consecutive win for Leeds against Hull KR with the Rhinos becoming somewhat of a bogey team for the Robins of late and whilst Peters explained that every game is different, he did point to the impact of Brad Arthur.
“There’s no doubt they’ve improved a hell of a lot under Brad in terms of the style,” Peters declared.
“They’ve got their DNA back have Leeds. That’s what Leeds have been about.
“I think they understand who they are and what they’re about as a team. Full credit to Brad and what he’s done and doing with the club and with that team.”
As for the recent record of three defeats against the Rhinos, Peters explained: “Every game is different. We’ve had some close games there. We were in control here (last year) and we had a bit of a change of momentum when Mikey went off and then last time we played them, obviously not acceptable at all.
“We’ve already gone through that and spoken about that but yeah, as I say, every game is different and we’re looking forward to Friday.”
A win for Hull KR would see them close within two points of the table-topping Rhinos, however, a loss would leave them six adrift and even with a game in hand and over a third of the season to play, the Robins’ hopes of defending their League Leaders Shield would start to deteriorate quickly.