Peta Hiku has moved to underline his how much of a boost the return of Micky McIlorum could be for Hull KR this weekend. McIlorum was initially due to miss Saturday’s Challenge Cup final after undergoing surgery on a bicep injury in April.
The injury was expected to keep him out for around 12 weeks, but the veteran hooker looks set to make a return just two months later after being named in the 21-man squad to take on Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium.
McIlorum has won three Challenge Cups over the course of his remarkable career and therefore, it’s fair to say he knows what it takes to win at the national stadium. It remains to be seen if the hooker will be fit enough to play at Wembley, of course, but if he is, his presence in the side could well prove to be pivotal.
“Micky has been good, just being around,” Hiku told Serious About RL about the 37-year-old. “He’s one that does all the little things and he’s probably underrated with fans.
“He never stops, he’s always moving and what he does for the team is a reminder of what it takes to win one of these big games. He’s probably one of the main ones that does all the little stuff, he’s always moving, pressures from the inside, third man in, gets back fast and he’s always making the line quicker and those are the kind of players you want to be with.”
Peta Hiku hails Hull KR edge partner Tom Davies
Tom Davies is another member of the Rovers line-up with a track record of success having won the Super League Grand Final in 2018 during his time with Wigan Warriors. Davies has made a big impact since joining from Catalans Dragons, alongside McIlorum, and Hiku has taken the opportunity to pile praise on his right edge partner.
“He’s been good, you can tell the way he is on the field that he’s a good player and a player you want to play with you does all the tough stuff,” the New Zealand international added. “The person he is off the field, man, he is good to have around.
“He’s one of those ones where there’s no awkward silence, never a boring moment, always laughing and always talking and he brings that talking onto the field so he’s always looking what’s in front of us. It’s been enjoyable and because he’s good mates with Tyrone, it’s easy for him.”
Asked if he felt Davies was underrated, Hiku said: “Not with us, we take everything and what he does for us we value a lot.
“He knows how to get our momentum started and he’s happy to do it so you can’t complain at that, when someone is happy to do that kind of stuff. He’s been good for us, good for me.”
