Rovers will go into the start of the new season with most their first team having not played a trial game
Hull KR’s Jordan Derzaria.(Image: )
Willie Peters has explained his thought process of sitting out the majority of his senior first team squad until the first competitive game of the season.
The Rovers coach handed seven of his eight new signings a first run out of the year against Wakefield Trinity at Sewell Group Craven Park, but only three or four of a predominantly youthful side who were beaten 34-6 by Trinity will likely have a chance of making the 20-man squad for the first round of Super League against York Knights in three week’s time.
The match with Daryl Powell’s team is KR’s only hit out of pre-season, with Rovers next in action in just under two weeks when they begin their Challenge Cup defence at home to amateur team Lock Lane.
Peters has suggested many of his more recognised first team stars will get a game against Lock Lane in a much-changed line-up, with a packed start to the season that includes the World Club Challenge and a trip to Las Vegas all part of an approach which saw his leadership group convey a preference to keep a week to week rhythm once they get started rather than the two week break which is now ahead after Sunday’s match.
“It is a difficult one,” explained Peters when asked about his approach to go with mainly youth against an almost full strength Wakefield team.
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“When we had this trial game planned in last year we hadn’t won the Grand Final at the time and didn’t know we’d be in the World Club Challenge. It is difficult what is right and what is wrong. I certainly didn’t want to play too many games leading in to round one.
“Most of our players didn’t want to play and then have a week break, they wanted to start and then keep going. There will be players that will want to rest and there will be players that want to play. The reason for not playing a lot of the experienced guys (against Wakefield) is they like to play and have that week to week rugby, rather than a couple of weeks off.
“I spoke to the senior leaders and they would rather start that process of playing against (Lock Lane).”
With the likes of Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls and Huddersfield Giants all picking up injuries over the weekend, Peters will be happy with his decision not to risk his star names, while Rovers came through the game with Wakefield with a clean bill of health.