Willie Peters has some huge decisions to make.
Few team selections will be bigger or harder for Willie Peters than this one.
With a near fully-fit squad at his disposal for the first time in a long time, Peters has some horrible decisions to make, particularly around those whom he decides to leave out of the side.
Across the pitch, good players will not be picked. It’s a luxury, but a challenge too.
The best place to start is with Micky McIlorum. He is the main injury doubt as he continues to recover from the ankle injury that has kept him off the field since August.
Will he be fit, will he not? There’s little doubt that if he is fit, he will feature. But it’s a big if. We know he can recover from injuries and play through the pain. The difference now though is that Hull KR have a quality performer in Jez Litten who has proven he can play well for 80 minutes. Rovers don’t need McIlorum to play. Perhaps, earlier this year, they felt they did.
For that reason, we think McIlorum won’t be risked here and kept for the Grand Final, should the Robins make it.
That opens up a bench spot, which we will come to later.
Moving to the outside backs, Willie Peters has confirmed Joe Burgess will return after his lay-off, so there’s little point disputing that selection call. The more interesting one is at centre and the battle for selection between Oliver Gildart and Jack Broadbent.
One has form, one has pedigree. Gildart has only played twice since his return from a knee injury and is still finding his feet. Broadbent has played the full campaign and done a job wherever he is called upon. This time last year, Gildart missed the semi-final through injury, and Broadbent was trusted in the Grand Final when Gildart was fit.
But. Gildart has been there and done it. He has the experience of winning these big games and knows what it takes. Let’s not forget that before injury, he was arguably the best centre in the competition. For that reason, we’re backing him to get the nod here.
Into the pack. While the starters and interchanges aren’t clear, the names that will feature are relatively obvious in the most part. There will be places in the side for Sauaso Sue, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, James Batchelor, Rhyse Martin, Elliot Minchella, Dean Hadley and Jai Whitbread. Throw in Litten, that takes Rovers to 15 players. Two players left.
Who those players are becomes fascinating.
There are three candidates: Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa or the aforementioned Broadbent.
All three bring something different, each selection has its merits. Beginning with Luckley, the Geordie brings offload threat and consistency through the middle. The drawback is that with Rovers having Batchelor and Martin in the side, they have 80-minute back-rowers, and that allows Dean Hadley to spend more time in the middle. In that regard, it’s then difficult to see Luckley playing anything more than a short stint after the break if he’s selected.
Tanginoa can be a game-changer, we know that. But Rovers have regularly used him from the bench and brought him on after 20 minutes. But again, they have Batchelor and Martin, who both regularly play the full game. They also have cover at back-row in Hadley if they need it. Like Luckley, he’s unlikely to play big minutes if selected.
That then leaves Braodbent, who was actually used as a sub and came on for mere minutes in the win over Castleford Tigers. You rarely bring your outside backs off but Broadbent can cover every position, which can be useful.
Given Burgess has been out for a while and Gildart still finding form, we have a feeling that Peters may opt to run with Broadbent on the bench here to provide that cover. And we think Luckley will get the nod too, with Tanginoa missing out.
Predicted Hull KR side to face St Helens: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, James Batchelor, Rhyse Martin, Elliot Minchella. Subs: Dean Hadley, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Broadbent