The Robins are on a roll as they look to book their spot at Wembley
Hull KR’s James Batchelor is ready for the Challenge Cup semi-finals
Hull KR are reaping the benefits of the reality check they were dealt earlier in the season, says James Batchelor.
The Robins approach this afternoon’s Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Warrington Wolves on the back of six straight wins in all competitions. And, they now find themselves soaring up the Super League table and just 80 minutes away from another date at Wembley Stadium.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for KR following their treble winning antics last year, with the east Hull outfit losing three of their first four league games.
Batchelor believes Rovers are better for that period, though, bringing the club back down to earth somewhat and helping them raise their own standards once more.
“We had some tough conversations after that and they were all around how to get to where we want to be, we have to improve week to week in the games, but day-to-day training and just keep chipping away at it like that,” Batchelor told Hull Live.
“That’s how we sort of focused on things to try and turn it around, and I think we started to bear some of the fruit of that.
“I think there was some stuff we could have probably dealt with mentally better, but at the same time, we weren’t playing up to our levels as individuals or as a group.
“That’s the long and short of it is we weren’t playing at our level and dialling in every day and pushing yourself day in, day out to improve on those little things and change.”
One of the major differences in KR as they come out of that period has been the defence, with Willie Peters’ side getting back to what their success has been built on in recent times and conceding just 34 points in the last five games.
“That’s something that we pride ourselves on and something that we drive,” the back-rower added. “Ultimately at the start of the season, we just weren’t good enough at that and that showed in the results and the table.
“So once we’ve sorted that out, we’ve started finding a rhythm, started enjoying those tough moments, and when you’re on the back foot and coming through those, that’s back to being us.”
The Super League has taken a back seat this week of course as Rovers prepare to face off against Warrington in what is a repeat of last year’s final.
Warrington have now lost the last two Cup finals and Batchelor expects to face a Sam Burgess side that is determined to finally get over the line in 2026.
“When we lost at Wembley [in 2023], I remember how that sort of drilled me and fuelled me in certain games and at certain times,” he said. “So I know they have that feeling, from the past two years really they’ll be hurting and some of them will be real desperate to put that right because it’s not a nice feeling.”