Super League agent makes incredible claim about bottom half side breaking into the top four in 2023

Hull Kingston Rovers have seen plenty of change this off-season and they’ve now been tipped by Super League player agent Craig Harrison, of Show Me The Money Rugby League TV, to make a play for not just the playoffs but a top four or even top two placing.

KR disappointed many last season and could be argued to have underperformed finishing eighth with a mid-season spell from late April through till early July seeing seven losses from eight, including to eventual relegated side Toulouse.

Consequent to that poor spell Rovers finished just four points outside the playoffs, but also saw head coach Tony Smith leave the club, with new head coach Willie Peters announced as successor before Smith had even left.

That means KR will have a very new look this season, Peters taking the reins in his first ever head coaching job and key signings like NRL Grand Finalist Tom Opacic joining fellow NRL talent Rhys Kennedy and Sauaso Sue in the move to Super League, along with a host of other talent such as Louis Senior and Wakefield duo James Batchelor and Yusuf Aydin.

Agent Craig Harrison and his son, who represent some of KR’s star young players including George King, Jez Litten, Luis Johnson, Mikey Lewis and Rowan Milnes, have suggested that Rovers have been bolstered massively and can make a huge playoff bid during a video for their SMTM Youtube channel.

“James Batchelor from Wakey, obviously you know how good of a pre-season he’s had. All the pre-season reports are saying how good he’s been playing. Some of the lads we look after, the younger lads, say that he’s leading the way and by example,” Harrison’s son explained of the 24-year-old Batchelor.

Harrison also represents Louis Senior and hailed his World Cup performance as exceptional before revealing inside information from the club regarding the pre-season, during which Rovers opted for warm-weather training in Tenerife.

“I heard this from someone at the club. It might have been Paul Lakin, but I think they’ve done all their fitness testing and apart from one player, everyone has beaten their testing from the previous year regardless of age.

“The levels look like they have gone up, and it seems Willie Peters is massive on the fitness and the S&C (strength and conditioning) so any player with that development like Louis from Huddersfield will get better and better and better.”

On recruitment and the depth KR have added Harrison explained: “You’ve got seven players brought into the club, probably six of them to play regularly. That doesn’t fit the sums, they’ve only lost four and two of those weren’t playing regularly. So there’s going to be some p***ed off players in February.

“I know there’s a lot of lads on that list (of squad numbers) who secretly were thinking ‘I hope I get this squad number’ or even looking at where they are thinking ‘I’m not a guaranteed starter here’ which will make them more determined to get into that side.

“They’ve got more options than previous seasons. Coote needs a big year. I thought at times he was average last season. For Hull KR to finish in the top four, he needs to have a good season.

“I think Hull KR are 10-12 points better than last year. I think they’ll be top four if they believe and get some consistency. Even top two.

“I think top four, if they can get a level of consistency and belief of being able to put games together and the ability to win boring. Actually grind some games out then KR can challenge for top two, first time in the history of Super League.”

If Harrison’s 10-12 point improvement prediction comes true it would put them fourth on the 2022 ladder assuming they improve by just five wins, but third if they managed to tally six extra wins.

Rovers are only two seasons removed from making the semi-finals where they played some impressive rugby, beating Warrington 19-0 before succumbing to Catalans in Perpignan.