“Not enough room” – Pundit picks Hull KR player to drop out should Micky McIlorum return

The last few years have seen Hull KR become one of the most successful teams in Super League, and next Saturday will get the chance to complete a historic treble, as they prepare to take on Wigan Warriors for the second year running.

The Robins were defeated 9-2 at Old Trafford last year, as a Bevan French try was enough to see Wigan emerge victorious, and rip the hearts out of the KR players, coaches and fans.

This year, they have worked on transforming a side virgin to success to one that has now won two of the three trophies this year, and will look to get their revenge by overcoming the Warriors and claiming the treble.

Not only are the playing squad another year older, and have more experience in those big matches, their recruitment has been the key in bringing in players with big-match experience.

Eyebrows were raised when a 37-year-old Michael McIlorum and a 36-year-old Jared Waerea-Hargreaves walked through the door in pre-season, but those two signings have been integral to the Robins going from Grand Final heartache to a potential treble-winning side.

Whilst on the field, their work may not be as impactful as the likes of Arthur Mourgue and Tom Davies – two players who are also in their maiden seasons at Hull KR – their work off-the-field has been part of the reason why KR have been able to win trophies this year.

Now, it is worth noting that KR have been dealt a huge blow in their plans to win their first Super League title. They will be without Waerea-Hargreaves, who misses the final game of his career due to suspension. The Kiwi legend has picked up a Grade C charge for a collision with Saints’ Jon Bennison that forced the winger off the field. The five points he incurs for the incident puts him over the threshold for a ban, meaning his rugby league career is now over, pending an appeal.

McIlorum, is no certainty either, given he is still recovering from a fractured ankle he picked up in August. Despite not being fully fit, KR will do everything they can to see their veteran hooker make a Grand Final appearance, in what will also be his final match of his career.

Sam Tomkins, a former a teammate of McIlorum’s at Wigan, and Jon Wilkin discussed the impact that these two icons of the game have had, and how they have been so important to Peters’ Robins.

Wilkin said: “There’s a calmness to them. I think it’s not always about the on-pitch delivery. I think they’re big personalities who have a calmness in the eye of a storm.

“You’re in the middle of chaos. You look around you for calm people and calm voices, especially in the week of a big game, and I think JWH will be a real comfort for a lot of players going into a big next week.

The pair agreed that if McIlorum had any chance of being fit, he would start, and he would make a huge difference.

Tomkins said: “Micky will play next week and he’ll start. I’m pretty sure he will. I think the thing about those two is they’re winners. They’re winners on the big stage. This Hull KR side, they’ve had some success really recently. These fellas have been doing it for 10-15 years. They’re so experienced in big games.

Pundit explains why Hull KR have to play Micky McIlorum

Peters faces a selection headache, and the decision will determine the style of play that the Rovers decide to go with on Saturday. Waerea-Hargreaves’ absence strengthens McIlorum’s bid to be part of the Grand Final side, as he will want an experienced body on the field to lead from the front and set a marker down in the opening stages of the game.

However, starting the 37-year-old means that Jez Litten, who is one of the best hooker’s in the league, drops down to the bench and causes Jack Broadbent to miss out, despite being one of the Robins’ top stars this year. The injury to Oliver Gildart gave Broadbent a regular place in the side, but his return has seen Broadbent join the action from the bench in recent weeks. Now it looks like he won’t be needed on Saturday, with Peters already hinting that he knows who his left centre option will be. 

Wilkin and Tomkins both agreed that he’d be the one to be omitted, in what would be a harsh call on the former Leeds and Castleford man.

Wilkin said: “That’s a tough gig, isn’t it, for Jack? He’s had some year, he’s so versatile, but that’s the issue with being versatile, isn’t it… My issue is not the choice. It’s a tough call on Jack, after the year that he’s had.”

Tomkins added: “There’s massive reasons to get Broadbent in, I just feel like there’s not going to be enough room. Broadbent’s good, he’s not top, top yet. He’s not a superstar of the game. It’s not like he has to be in the 17. Where as, Micky, I think if Hull KR want to go and beat Wigan next week, they need Micky McIlorum on the field.”