“We’ll play with a bit of style” – Tony Smith on Hull KR’s 2020 chances

Hull KR head coach Tony Smith says his side have not set any aims and will play an expansive style of rugby league this season.

Despite a huge turnover in players, Rovers are the bookies favourites to be relegated after surviving on point’s difference in 2019.

Wary of the strength that many Super League teams possess, Smith says his side will throw the ball around this season.

“We don’t know how far we can go at the moment,” he said. “Combination wise we have had two friendlies, so we’re going to improve this as our season goes.

“We want to play a bit of rugby league as well, with a bit of style and we don’t want to get into arm wrestles with the big boys who have bigger squads and reputations.”

Hull KR take on Wakefield in their first round clash at Craven Park, a team they have already lost to this season in a pre-season friendly.

“I don’t think it will have any bearing on this whatsoever,” said Smith. “I was trying all sorts of different combinations and I’m sure Chris (Chester) was.

“That pitch that we played on was horrible, it was soft that day, whereas our pitch is fast and in great condition for this time of year so I think it will be a completely different game.

“We know each other a little better than we did then and we are excited to get started and to get into it.”

Part of Rovers heavy off-season recruitment saw them bring in five players from Championship outfit Bradford.

When asked which players had stood out in pre-season, Smith picked out three of those five who were drafted in from the Bulls.

“Matty Storton has really stood out and been a real powerhouse, and Elliott Minchella has been good and is that ball-playing loose-forward that we need within our game.

“Ethan Ryan has trained well and will develop into a real good player, Will Dagger too has had his best pre-season and is really pushing himself.

“All the players have worked hard and everyone will get better as the season goes.”