The old adage about teams not being able to win if they don’t score points is being taken literally by Hull KR. Willie Peters’ side have the best defence in Super League which should be no surprise given they lead the competition.
But they host Wakefield Trinity tonight having nilled opponents SIX times this term. And second-row Kelepi Tanginoa admits that is – pure and simply – the Robins’ principal aim each time they take to the field.
Bidding to win every game is obviously every team’s target but to actually keep rivals scoreless as well takes matters to a whole new level.
It perhaps helps explain just why the relentless Robins, who have already lifted the Challenge Cup this term, are looking so hot. Tanginoa admitted: “That’s our goal: to always build on performances but also to nill teams.
“Building that resilience in our defence and keeping opponents scoreless is what we want to do.
“It’s what we try to do every time. Nilling teams. Basically, that’s it. That’s what we prioritise more than our attack and more than anything: our defence.”
Rovers’ line speed, dominance and willingness to scramble when protecting their goalline is something to behold. But what’s the secret to their success? Tanginoa, 31, answered: “Reps. Reps in training. We prioritise it in training. Reps. Willie thrives on it. Obviously it’s hard work but the rewards pay off.”
Rovers’ squad also famously get a free breakfast in a local cafe every time they shut out a team but that’s not the goal: a first-ever Super League title is the endgame. Last season’s beaten Grand Finalists could open up a six-point gap on second-placed Wigan with another victory tonight.
But Trinity showed their own growing prowess with last Friday’s stunning 16-10 victory over the reigning champions – the only side who have beaten KR this term. Tanginoa, who played 88 games for Wakefield before joining Rovers ahead of last term, admitted: “It’s great to see them going so well.
“Wakefield are playing really well at the moment and it’s good to see things improving off the field, too, with all the new facilities there. Fair play to them. They are improving.
“And we’ve seen what they can do [v Wigan]. Wakefield are a team that plays expansively, they throw the ball around, go really well in defence and it’ll be a good challenge for us. But we’ve a goal of taking each game as a challenge. We won’t look too far ahead.
“But we’ve got something we want to chase this year and the only way to get there is nilling teams but also doing it week in week out.”
If they win for the 15th time in their opening 16 league games tonight, it will also break the club record for their best start which was set in 1966-67. The hosts are bolstered by the potential return of his fellow back-row Rhyse Martin, the ex-Leeds star who could play for the first time in almost four months following a thigh injury.
Ex-Manly forward Tanginoa said: “Rhyse has been training really well and I can’t wait to have him back. He just adds another dimension to our attack. He’s such a talented player.
“I played with Rhyse for a while back in Australia. We played reserve grade together [for Townsville Blackhawks] in 2015 – ten years ago! He offers so much to us. Imagine having another weapon in our attack like him…”