York Knights boss Mark Applegarth has admitted he made a selection error in the side’s heavy defeat to Leeds Rhinos.
The Knights came into the game off the back of a shock 19-18 victory over treble winners Hull KR, and were riding a huge high, however they would be missing half-back Ata Hingano, who kicked the winning drop-goal against the Robins.
Hingano had a calf issue in the week leading up to the Rhinos game, and was not risked as a precaution. In his place came Nikau Williams, who featured in the centres in the victory over the treble winners.
But, Applegarth has admitted he made a mistake, and should have kept Williams in the centre, after he performed well.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s game against Hull FC, the Knights boss took responsibility of the decision, and confirmed he would be back in the three-quarters this week.
He said: “I thought he did really well, Nikau, he’ll put his hand up and play wherever.
“I’ll be honest with you, he won’t [play halves]. [It was] probably me, with my team selection. I should have probably left Nikau in that centre spot because I thought he played really well there at Hull KR.
“I don’t think Nikau played particularly bad, I just thought he really excelled when I played him at centre as well, so, there’s some, definitely a bit of food for thought as a coach there and my team selection.
“In terms of Nikau, he’s an exceptional talent, he’ll play wherever you tell him and he’s got a real cool head on his shoulders and I love everything what he’s about.”
Providing an update on the injured Hingano, the boss revealed whether we could see the round one match winner in action this weekend.
He said: “We don’t know yet. We’re hoping he’ll be in the squad.
“He’s there or thereabouts… we don’t want to risk him too early, if he’s no good he’s no good but we’ll give him till the last minute because he’s obviously a key player for us.
“We’re in round three, we just don’t want to play someone that’s going in at 50% fit, or a bit of a risk and then turning a two-week injury into a six-week injury.
“If he gets through all his markers all right in training this week we’ll play him, if not we’ll go with a different route and just play him when he’s feeling 100%.”
Danny Richardson is another potential half-back option, with Applegarth saying: “Danny’s been training really well. It was a pretty tough selection call last week and how Danny responded to that is exactly how you’d expect.
“[He’s] a model professional and Danny’s got some exceptional ability and as I say, this week may give him a run out, we’ll see how we do in training rest of the week, but he’s definitely been training the house down and he looks primed and ready for an opportunity.”
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York Knights boss excited about Connor Bailey reunion
Friday night’s game will see former York man Connor Bailey return to the club for the first time since departing this off-season.
Bailey was one of the Knights’ stand-out players in 2025, and was an integral part to their Championship success.
He moved to the Black and Whites ahead of the new season, and has earned a second chance at being a Super League player once again.
Applegarth has known the back rower since his time at Wakefield, so have plenty of history to reminisce on, something they will get to do for the first time this season.
“Connor [was an] absolute key part of our team last year and we were sorry to see him go. We wish him all the best, just not on Friday night.
“I first signed Connor as a 14-year-old into the scholarship [at Wakefield] and to see how he’s flourished into now a Super League player is really pleasing to see and I’m sure over the course of the year he’ll show everyone what we know he’s capable of.”
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