Hull KR head to Wembley off the back of a spectacular performance after decimating St Helens 34-4. Willie Peters’ side never once showed signs of being distracted by the upcoming Challenge Cup Final as they produced arguably their best performance of the season to put Saints to the sword.
Rovers’ intensity, physicality and execution matched and surpassed what we’ve seen this season. The prospect of the Robins taking their foot off the gas and preserving themselves proved to be a laughable one. All eyes were on Willie Peters’ team selection before the game. He decided against the temptation of resting players, with only Dean Hadley left out. That was a sign that Rovers came to play, and that they certainly did.
They scored on six minutes. After a Mark Percival knock-on inside his own half, Rovers were put in position and they found a chink in the armour through Kelepi Tanginoa, who punched through George Whitby and provided an offload from which Jack Broadbent dived over. Arthur Mourgue converted.
Six soon became twelve. Saints had looked nervous defending their edges and when they backed off as Peta Hiku got the ball from close range, there was only ever going to be one outcome. The Kiwi forced his way over and Mourgue added the two again. Four minutes later, Saints responded, though it was actually much longer than that.
A series of stoppages for a captain’s challenge and video reviews ruined the flow of the game.But on the clock, Lewis Murphy provided a swift response. The winger showed determination to ride the attempts of several defenders and slam the ball down in the corner. Whitby’s conversion hit the post so Rovers had a two-score lead.
The game hit its most intense period at this point. Both teams were loading up and at full throttle. Rovers felt to have the edge but Saints came up with answers, scrambling well to keep the hosts at bay. They even handled going down to twelve men well, with Deon Cross sin binned for a high tackle on Mourgue.
But the pressure told eventually and the dam truly burst. Tristan Sailor fumbled the ball and Broadbent would get his second. Again, he was generously assisted, this time by Jez Litten who threaded through a wonderful kick behind that turned the defence and allowed Broadbent to pounce.
From the next set, Sam Luckley proved too hot to handle, he smuggled an offload away from which Mikey Lewis dashed through a gap and he rounded Harry Robertson to score. Mourgue missed for the first time, hitting the post.
The game was essentially over as Rovers scored on the last play of the half. There was a slice of fortune as Saints got a hand to Lewis’ kick over the top, but that deflected the ball back into his grasp, free from defenders and he tipped on to Elliot Minchella to finish under the sticks. Mourgue converted, 28-4, game over.
The second half was relatively eventless. Both teams became slightly loose, Rovers conceding a string of penalties and Saints dropping the ball too often. The visitors did have a try controversially ruled out when Lewis Murphy appeared to have scored, though it was chalked off as it was deemed he had grounded the ball on the line. It did appear in an earlier frame that he had got it down cleanly.
Adding insult to injury, Rovers scored five minutes later. Lewis got a second, an easy solo score as he dipped inside Whitby to glide through to score. Mourgue added the extras.
Players started to be rested at this point. Tyrone May was withdrawn, as was Sauaso Sue. Rovers got through the game injury free, just as valuable as the two points, and after this performance, Rovers are on the fast lane to Wembley.
Hull KR : Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jai Whitbread, Kelepi Tanginoa, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella. Subs: Sam Luckley, Jack Brown, Eribe Doro, Bill Leyland.
Tries: Broadbent (6, 33), Hiku (12), Lewis (36, 61), Minchella (40)
Goals: Mourgue 5/6
St Helens : Jack Welsby, Tristan Sailor, Deon Cross, Mark Percival, Lewis Murphy, George Whitby, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Matt Whitley, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Moses Mbye, Agnatius Paasi, George Delaney, Harry Robertson.
Tries: Murphy (16)
Goals: Whitby 0/1