Connect with us

Super League

Tony Smith questions quality of rugby league following Hull KR’s loss to Leeds Rhinos

Last night can’t have been an enjoyable night for two-time Super League winning coach Tony Smith.

The Hull KR boss didn’t see his side score a point against an injury hit Rhinos team as they lost 12-0 ending their run of good form.

Making matters worse, he lost four players to injury. Sam Wood will not play next week after a knee problem, whilst Lachlan Coote could miss out as well after a head clash. There are some worries over a neck injury to Matt Parcell and a shoulder injury to Matty Storton as well.

Just over a week away from the Challenge Cup semi-finals, this is the last thing Hull KR needed.

Nonetheless, Smith backed his side to put the disappointing defeat behind them if they could physically get their bodies right to do so.

This came as the former Leeds and Warrington boss questioned the quality of rugby league at the moment seemingly pointing at the role fatigue and injuries are having on the overall product stopping Super League’s star players from performing as well as we know they’re capable of.

When asked if his side would be able to find a response to the defeat, Smith said: “They will if they can. You saw the game last night, jeez. The quality of rugby league I’m sorry it’s tough to watch. We’ve got to wake up to it at some stage.

“I’m not moaning. I worry about injuries but you’ve got to look at the quality of rugby league as well.

“Our boys will fix it up as best they can next week through their desires if their bodies are physically capable and I have no doubt about that.”

This comes after one of his players – Ryan Hall – questioned the Easter games last week which perhaps put unneeded stress on players and it seems Smith buys into this line of thinking believing that fatigue and injuries is damaging the quality of the game.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in Super League