Sunday is a huge game for the reigning champions.
Hull KR are expected to respond in style against Huddersfield Giants following their Las Vegas misery.
The talking is over after Hull KR’s Las Vegas nightmare – now action is required to bounce back and finally kick-start their Super League campaign.
It was a long journey back to East Hull from the United States after the 58-6 thrashing by Leeds Rhinos at Allegiant Stadium. It was a scoreline few predicted, leaving the Robins winless at the start of their new Super League campaign – albeit after claiming their fourth trophy in 12 months with a famous World Club Challenge victory over Brisbane Broncos.
However, head coach Willie Peters had made it clear during the build-up that the triumph over the NRL champions was firmly in the past, with all focus on Vegas. Ultimately, his players failed to deliver in the entertainment capital of the world.
But Rovers have now been urged to respond in style on Sunday at the Accu Stadium, with training this week returning to the basics – and the standards that have made them a champion outfit.
Their defence is the number one priority, having boasted the best defensive record across the 27-round regular season in 2025 as they lifted the League Leaders’ Shield.
Training has been sharp and focused ahead of Sunday’s clash, with Huddersfield Giants also winless after the opening rounds of the new campaign.
“Wednesday’s session – the intensity and the intent – was back to being us,” said influential back-rower James Batchelor.
“If you showed us that session, you’d say: that’s a Hull KR session. We nailed that, and we’ve spoken about building it day by day. We want to do the same in the team run and then put in a performance on the weekend.
“The energy hasn’t been good enough and hasn’t been at our level – not at the levels we expect, and not what the supporters and the club deserve. That’s been our focus this week, and building a performance on the back of that.
“We’ve not been good enough to start the season and we need to win games if we’re going to achieve what we want this year.”
After a chaotic start to the year, Hull KR looked fatigued and had no answers as Leeds ran riot in Vegas, scoring 10 tries – including four for powerhouse winger Maika Sivo.
But the weekly grind of Super League is now firmly back on Hull KR’s radar – along with the Challenge Cup, with the Robins returning to Huddersfield next week for a fourth round tie.
It’s a long season with plenty of twists to come – and Hull KR will still believe they can defend their titles once they find their rhythm again.