The Robins are approaching the second half of the season in a good spot, despite defeat last time out
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters speaks with media at Wembley during his side’s Captain’s Run.
The next three weeks will provide a clear picture of Hull KR’s Super League credentials, says Willie Peters.
After dropping to their fourth defeat of the Super League season last weekend at Wakefield Trinity, Rovers sit fifth in the table, four points behind the pace being set by Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves at the top of the ladder.
KR remain well and truly in the race for the League Leaders’ Shield then and as the second half of the season approaches, they are well positioned to kick on and retain the title they won last year.
However, responding to last week’s loss and the defeat prior in the Challenge Cup final is absolutely vital this week and that’s not something that Peters is shying away from as he leads his side into Friday’s game with York Knights.
And, with games against Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos approaching on the horizon, Peters knows how important the upcoming period could be for his side.
“We’re in a decent spot and if we won last week, we’d be in a very, very good spot after the start we had,” the head coach said as the halfway mark approaches. “We have a game in hand and the next three weeks are going to be really important to us.
“I think we’ll get a better idea of where we’re at after the next three weeks starting this week with York then Leigh and Leeds into Magic. It’s an important three weeks for us to get right.”
Reaching last month’s Challenge Cup final ensures KR will reach the end of the Super League season without a week off and with their postponed clash with Warrington Wolves being scheduled for a Tuesday night in August, there is some fixture congestion coming up.
Peters will have to manage his squad accordingly going forward, but he’s happy with where his squad are right in their battle to avoid fatigue.
“It was always going to be a demanding schedule and season when you looked at it from the start of the season,” Peters added. “Obviously we wanted to play in the Challenge Cup final and we wanted to play every game.
“As I keep saying, we internally manage that the best we can but if you have a look through the squad, there’s not a great deal that have played every single game now. At some stage players have been rested or have had niggles, whatever it may be.
“If you look collectively, it can be really, really demanding but when you break it down there’s players that haven’t played every week. They’ve still played a lot of rugby, don’t get me wrong but it’s not as if the whole squad has played every single week from the start of the season.”