Hull FC have struggled at the start of this season due in part to injuries and suspensions but their problems this season can be traced all the way back to the opening round and their defeat to Hull KR in the derby which ended 22-0.
The Black and Whites have only won one game since then needing a last minute try to defeat newly promoted London Broncos who are one of only two clubs who have had a worse start to the season than Hull FC.
Hull KR meanwhile had only lost twice this year to Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils and were looking to back that form up with another win over their bitter rivals.
Hull FC were hoping for a big restart to their season but in the first half their hopes were emphatically extinguished. A great bit of play between Tyrone May and Mikey Lewis saw Hull KR break down field with Niall Evalds on hand to score. This sparked a brilliant display from Evalds.
His delightful pass would pave the way for Joe Burgess to make it 8-0 before he dummied through on a kick return prior to teeing up Mikey Lewis to score a sensational try.
Evalds kept causing problems with an inside ball for Peta Hiku as he tore through the heart of the Hull FC defence and teed up James Batchelor to score. That made it 16-0 and at this stage it was only the fact Jez Litten had failed to nail a goal that meant Hull KR weren’t out of sight but they soon would be.
Tries for Peta Hiku and Joe Burgess, both converted by Litten who shook off his goalkicking problems to fire Hull KR 28-0 ahead.
Hull FC showed some character in the second half with tries from Jayden Okunbor and Cameron Scott gave the scoreline a more respectable look.
Hull KR would wrestle back control of the game and eventually notched a try from Kelepi Tanginoa.
Sam Tomkins dismisses Hull KR’s Super League title ambitions
Credit: Imago Images
To many this was a statement win for Hull KR and an attacking masterclass in the first half that would trouble any side but to those on Sky Sports, questions were asked of the second half and if that highlighted the weaknesses that will hold the Robins back from challenging for the Super League title.
Sam Tomkins was one who raised this point suggesting that they are not ready yet to challenge: “I think we saw from that game they’re not there yet. That second half showed us. That wasn’t good enough. Their kicking game and last players weren’t good enough. If they produced that against Wigan or Saints, they’d lose.”
Hull KR will face a massive test against the likes of Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Catalans Dragons this month.
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COLIN BAKER
April 1, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Sam Tomkins is bias towards both Wigan and Helens what does he know nothing.
Graham Codd
April 3, 2024 at 10:11 am
Tomkins is basing this on a very average 2nd half performance by Hull K R against Hull FC who were much improved during the second half. Saints lost against Salford, albeit being reduced to 12 during most of the 2nd half, Wigan also were far from convincing at Salford and lost against Saints. It’ll be far easier to assess when Rovers have played both Saints & Wigan here and Catalans away, and they have all played each other. Warrington too, was below par and Catalans won.