Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has admitted that the club’s failure to win the League Leaders Shield last week had made him ‘think’ about team selection for Thursday night’s clash with Warrington Wolves.
The Robins will welcome an out-of-form Warrington to Craven Park knowing that a win will guarantee them the League Leaders Shield, a first in club history.
They had hoped to wrap that up last week but were blown away by Wakefield Trinity in the first half, trailing 26-0 after 40 minutes before eventually losing 28-12.
Speaking to the press this week, Peters admitted that the need to win the game has impacted his thoughts but he explained that the club’s mentality towards the game haven’t changed.
“It’s certainly made you think with certain things going on,” he responded, before noting: “We’ll be going with a strong team because we’re taking a similar approach to what we did with the Challenge Cup.
“I’ve learned a lot from that and I think you need to have momentum going in and we want to put in a performance this week that we’re proud of.”
Hull KR winger’s absence explained
The Robins went full strength ahead of the Challenge Cup so that’s a clear indication they’ll do the same this week, although they’ll once again be missing Joe Burgess.
Not named to the 21-man squad, Peters confirmed the winger is out with the same calf strain that saw him rested for the recent Hull derby and forced him to miss the game against Wakefield.
The Australian explained: “He’s got a slight strain. It’s very minor and he’ll miss this week but then he’ll be okay for the finals.
“Initially, it didn’t show anything on the scan and then he came back and did the tests he needed to get through but then it just started getting a bit sore. So we pulled out and then as I say we sent him for another scan. It’s very minor but there’s no point in taking any risks at the moment.”
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Another who missed out against Wakefield was Kelepi Tanginoa with the second-rower a late pull-out but Peters confirmed he’ll be fine, whilst fellow forward Sauaso Sue is set for a return after his knee injury.
On Sue, Peters said: “He’s doing well and hopefully will play. He’s got through everything. I’m looking forward to seeing him back this Thursday.”
After praising his impact on and off the field, Peters then credited Sue’s lifestyle to why he’s been able to recover so well and perform at such a high level.
“He’s a professional and that’s why he’s still playing and I believe he’s got better and better in his 30s which is incredible because it’s just how he treats his body, what he puts in it in terms of food and the extras he does.
“He’s a professional and he’s been rewarded with that throughout the year in terms of matches that he’s played and the levels he’s got to but we’re very lucky that it wasn’t a serious injury and he’s got through that.”
