Hull KR are running on empty, according to Kyle Amor and Paul Cooke, who have questioned whether Willie Peters has “squeezed the life” out of his established stars – and whether the head coach could have turned to his youngsters sooner.
Those are the thoughts of the punditry duo on the latest episode of All Out Rugby League’s Back Ten, with the reigning Super League champions having slipped to sixth in the table with just three regular-season games remaining.
Rovers’ recent slide follows back-to-back home defeats, including a shock Round 24 loss to Toulouse Olympique at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Peters has admitted his side are feeling the effects of a relentless schedule, having gone without a week off across two seasons and recently completing a punishing run of four games in 15 days.
The Hull KR head coach has responded by resting a number of his first-team stars this week, naming a youthful 21-player squad for Thursday’s trip to Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium.
The fixture will also honour the life of legendary former Wigan star Billy Boston.
But Amor and Cooke believe Hull KR could have blooded more young players throughout this season – and even last year – to help ease the burden on their established stars.
Back Ten host Amor said: “I think last year, the journey that Hull KR were on was so impressive, and to ice it off as they did all last year.
“But there’s probably an argument there that within all of that, one downside to Willie Peters is his inability, or his lack of trust, in the youth at Hull KR.
“Are we now starting to see that he has squeezed the life out of this squad physically and mentally, and could he have helped himself by maybe blooding in a couple of young kids to play more this season?”
Former Hull KR, Hull FC and England playmaker Cooke agreed, arguing the issue could date back even further.
He replied: “Possibly, and I’d argue last season. More so last season when they were all-conquering and sat at the top of the table.
“He’s got every last ounce out of the squad for four years.
“You look at the youth development of the club, and there’s not too many come through. Louix Gorman scored a nice try at the weekend against Toulouse.
“It’s interesting for Hull KR this year, because they’ve just fallen flat. They look spent right now and look like a team ready for the end of the season.”