Three ways Hull KR can replace suspended Elliot Minchella

Hull KR will be without captain Elliot Minchella for their final regular season game and one Super League play-off game following his two-match ban, handed down by the Match Review Panel.

That comes following his sin bin for a high shot on Leigh Leopards’ full-back Matt Moylan, a tackle that was described as “ugly” by Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin.

The ban was the result of a Grade C charge and it came at the higher end of the punishment scale, a factor that is down to Minchella’s previous disciplinary record, but Hull KR have confirmed that they challenge the grading.

Whilst that could see the charge downgraded from C to B, it’s unlikely that the Robins will find themselves able to completely eradicate the ban meaning that the loose forward will almost certainly miss Friday’s clash against Leeds Rhinos.

By then Hull KR will know whether they can lift the League Leaders Shield or not because Wigan will have already played on Thursday, however, they’ll still need to win to avoid Warrington overtaking them and claiming second place and the crucial home semi-final.

As such, Willie Peters will be forced to name a strong side and we’ve looked at the options he has available to him to replace the talismanic captain.

How can Hull KR replace Elliot Minchella?

Much of the dilemma regarding how Hull KR will replace Elliot Minchella depends on whether star second-rower Kelepi Tanginoa is back fit or not.

The former Wakefield man missed out on Friday night’s victory with a hamstring injury and his status for the clash with Leeds remains unclear.

If Tanginoa returns then Willie Peters’ problem is far simpler, especially with Jai Whitbread returning from suspension.

Hull KR can play with their first-choice props of Whitbread and Jesse Sue meaning that the workhorse Dean Hadley can move to the number 13 role.

Should Tanginoa be fit then the Robins would likely play a forward pack of Sue, Parcell, Whitbread, Tanginoa, Batchelor and Hadley, with the likes of Matty Storton, Sam Luckley and Jack Brown all available off the bench.

If Tanginoa does not pass fit then Peters will face more of a dilemma. Storton would likely assume his role in the second-row once again meaning the bench would comprise of just Jack Brown and Sam Luckley in terms of forwards, with George King still in exile.

Centre Tom Opacic has played second-row at times this year, making him a very valuable interchange due to his position versatility, whilst Peters could opt for a completely different approach and spell hooker Jez Litten at thirteen.

Litten has played there at times but a more conventional option would be to stick with the bigger bodies in the forward pack. The Robins are not necessarily chasing points on Friday night, unlike third-place Warrington, so a disciplined and no-frills performance would do the job at thirteen.

Hull KR forward pack With Tanginoa: Sue, Parcell, Whitbread, Tanginoa, Batchelor, Hadley / Interchanges: Opacic, Litten, Luckley, Storton

Hull KR forward pack Without Tanginoa: Sue, Parcell, Whitbread, Storton, Batchelor, Hadley / Interchanges, Opacic, Litten, Luckley, Brown