Smith “downbeat” amid injury concerns

Hull KR Head Coach Tony Smith admitted he is rather “downbeat” despite seeing his side record a crucial 26-19 win over Castleford Tigers.

The result meant the Robins got to send their loyal supporters, along with the departing Mose Masoe, off in some style plus could very well help them to a first play-off place since 2013.

However, Smith has decided he is not getting too excited and shared his concerns that the win may have come at a cost.

He said: “I thought it was a 50-50 game, it could have gone either way easily. Even right down to the end, I did not think it was comprehensive.

“I was hopeful of a better performance from us. I am not a coach who will sit here, punch the air and say ‘oh well, it does not matter because we won’ it does matter.

“It is not just about the performance that I am downbeat. I have two or three players who have season ending injuries.

“We lost Ryan Hall at half-time. He has a problem in his arm and he will be done for the remainder of this season. We are still checking over Greg Minikin but it is not looking good for him.

“I am also seeing our big mate walk off the pitch which was the highlight of the day for me, seeing big Mose Masoe walk off the pitch.

“There are other things that go on that makes us human beings and make us tick and they make us happy or sad so as much as I would to say we are unreal and we will conquer the world, that is not what I am talking about as there are other things going on.”