Hull KR have made it two wins from two to start the season despite a number of key absentees.
They have now beaten two of last year’s semi-finalists to start the season and really look like a side who could push for a spot in the top four with their character and style.
Salford too, despite the defeat, looked like still being a threatening side.
Highlights:
The impact of Watkins at second-row
The opening try showed the impact of Kallum Watkins at second-row. The Salford skipper was able to pop round the back of centre Deon Cross and feed a centre’s ball out to Ken Sio who showed brilliant strength and awareness of where he was on the pitch to withstand a tackle and get the ball down.
Controversial Call
Hull KR thought they’d levelled matters when a nicely weighted kick from Jordan Abdull was taken by Kane Linnett who offloaded it and it was eventually taken by Sam Wood to dot down but there was indeed a knock on in the build up. However, it did seem that Linnett had been tackled in the air.
Linnett loses it at the line
A few moments later, after a brilliant Wood break, Linnett bust a tackle and reached out to score. However, the ball fell from his grasp at the line. Credit the officiating as they resisted the temptation to turn to the vide referee.
A rare push
In a call back to the years of the past, we saw a push from the scrum as Hull KR’s momentum ended as Salford pushed at a scrum prompting a knock on at the back of the scrum.
Ryanair
Ethan Ryan took to the air in a desperate attempt to claim a well placed Jordan Abdull kick. He didn’t get to it but he forced Joe Burgess to drop the ball and he was on hand to ground the ball before it went out of play.
Another kick another try
Shortly after that another kick from Abdull, this time a grubber kick, was perfect for Frankie Halton to claim and touch down.
Deon crosses
A great set play from Salford after a James Batchelor error created enough space for a short croft ball to allow Deon Cross to carve through thanks to a change of direction. Sneyd’s goal took him to sixth in the all time list.
You score we score
Another kick off error followed this time from Salford and Hull KR added to their lead with another piece of brilliance from Abdull as his pass created a one on one for Shaun Kenny-Dowall and his offload allowed Sam Wood to score.
Missed Chances
Both sides missed chances with Ken Sio and Sam Wood denied tries by the video referee whilst Wood was denied for a third time by an error and Cross was unable to score after threatening and knocking on.
Ryan who?
Sam Wood had been at the hub of so much and he did eventually get a second try of the game when Ryan Brierley fumbled a bomb by Abdull and he was on hand to score.
Talking Points:
Abdull is well and truly back
The player Hull KR missed the most in 2022 undoubtedly Jordan Abdull and he stepped up tonight against last year’s Man of Steel. He created Hull KR’s two tries and showed the extra level he gives to the Robins.
The entertainers
It was clear tonight by the way both sides attacked that these two teams will be two of the most entertaining teams in Super League. Quick rucks, offloads, darting runs, playing what you see and attacks that routinely change direction. This could see both sides in the mix at the end of the year.
Salford’s back three
Salford may have one of the best back threes in Super League. Ken Sio, Ryan Brierley and Joe Burgess always looked capable of tearing holes in the Hull KR kick chase and getting down field. This is a huge asset. However, it was an error from Brierley that would cost the Red Devils the game in a moment that was a microcosm of the game: Salford errors undercutting their potential.
Player Ratings:
Salford
1 Ryan Brierley – 6
2 Ken Sio – 7
28 Deon Cross – 7
4 Tim Lafai – 6
5 Joe Burgess – 7
6 Brodie Croft – 7
7 Marc Sneyd – 7
8 Jack Ormondroyd – 6
9 Andy Ackers – 7
16 Tyler Dupree – 6
3 Kallum Watkins – 7
12 Sam Stone – 6
13 Oliver Partington – 7
Substitutes
18 Alex Gerrard – 6
10 King Vinyayawa – 6
14 Chris Atkin – 6
17 Shane Wright – 6
Hull KR
19 Will Dagger – 8
2 Ethan Ryan – 8
3 Tom Opacic – 8
4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall – 8
24 Sam Wood – 8
20 Mikey Lewis – 7
7 Jordan Abdull – 9
8 Jesse Sue – 8
9 Matt Parcell – 7
10 George King – 7
12 Kane Linnett – 8
16 James Batchelor – 8
13 Elliot Minchella – 7
Substitutes
11 Franke Halton – 7
14 Jez Litten – 7
22 Dean Hadley – 7
26 Sam Luckley – 8
