Ryan Hampshire took his chance at full-back against Hull FC
Jack Broadbent was moved from the full-back position at Magic Weekend(Image: SW Pix)
Ryan Hampshire impressed Willie Peters after being handed his first big opportunity in Hull KR colours at Magic Weekend.
Peters sprung a surprise on the teamsheet by naming the former Wigan Warriors and Featherstone Rovers man at full-back over Jack Broadbent, who has heled the role down for much of the season.
Broadbent never lost a spot in the side with the versatile back moving out to the wing, but Peters felt it was necessary to give someone else a run out at full-back against Hull FC on Saturday afternoon.
Ultimately then, a month and a half after making his debut for the Robins against Wigan’s youngsters, Hampshire got his first taste of the Hull derby and he looked the part as KR managed to grind out an eighth derby in a row.
And, Peters was pleased with what he saw from the playmaker, who will be hoping to get another run out this Saturday at Craven Park when Rovers host play-off rivals Wakefield Trinity.
“I just felt we needed a bit of a shift in energy,” Peters said, explaining his decision to bring Hampshire into the fold. “I think Rocky has been very good in training.
“Broady has had a good stint at full-back and it’s a tough position to play every week, he runs a lot of metres and get’s around the field. That’s not going forward, I’m talking about when teams are picking him up and going the other way, it’s a tough position to play.
“I just felt we needed a little bit of something different and I thought Rocky went okay.
“I thought he came into the game late at the end, he started seeing more of the ball and trying to find his way to get in and once he did that he was comfortable.”