HULL KR SEASON REVIEW: Bringing up the rear

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In recent years, Hull KR have used the off season to reshape their entire squad. It was 20 new signings in total for 2020! It was always going to be a challenge to mould a new squad into a team.

That challenge was not evident on the opening day, Rovers opened their season with a strong home win over Wakefield. A four-try salvo by Ben Crooks was the highlight. Similarly, a Ben Crooks try was the highlight of Hull KR's derby defeat in week 2. It was a stunning effort involving several passes, offloads and intricate skill. Hull KR looked sharp and pushed their city rivals all the way. Despite defeat, hope was high for a good 2020.

Little did we know at the time, but no-one had a good 2020! Whereas everyone's 2020 went downhill from around mid-March, Hull KR's started a month earlier. After two encouraging displays, a 52-10 thumping at Headingley was a startling reality check. Defeats to Huddersfield, Castleford and Wigan followed, leaving Hull KR winless since the opening day. Hull KR returned to winning ways by avoiding a Challenge Cup upset, due to a last minute winning try against Leigh Centurions.

By the time Hull KR would play again, it would be August, Toronto Wolfpack withdrew from Super League and relegation was no longer a threat for 2020. A long-time critic of relegation, head coach Tony Smith, was delighted. He promised to throw off the shackles. To an extent, Hull KR had played like that anyway, but the stakes were upped.

Short kick-offs, kamikaze offloads, you name it, Hull KR tried it in their first game back against Warrington! It was hardly a resounding success, with the Rovers losing by 40-10. In the following games, the philosophy remained the same, but was tempered into calculated risks rather than risks for risks sake.

This style was much more fruitful. They pushed St Helens hard in defeat, before defeating top of the table Wigan the next week and then losing unfortunately to St Helens, again, this time in golden point. Hull KR were trying to win games rather than not lose, and it showed.

I had hopes that Hull KR would kick on. Post-restart, they had an awful run of fixtures, but after that, it was more kind. That's not how rugby league works though. 7 defeats from their next 8 followed, with the one sole win coming against Salford, with a last second penalty. Hull KR came last, but in a season without relegation, the consequences that usually follow did not.

As always, Hull KR's off-season has seen another total overhaul of their squad. 12 players will leave, including several who joined in 2020 and prop forwards Robbie Mulhern and Mitch Garbutt. The difference this year is stronger recruitment. Ryan Hall is an eye-catching signing. Korbin Sims and Brad Takairangi are players with NRL pedigree. Muizz Mustapha will join from Leeds on loan, and he is young player with great potential.

Recruitment seems more focused for 2021, rather than the scattergun approach 2020. With a fair wind, this should see Hull KR avoid a relegation battle in 2021, which after years of survival scraps, would represent success.

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