Can Hull KR Go All the Way This Season?
After dismantling the current World Club Champions Wigan last Friday and then following it up with another epic win over St Helens, the question on everyone’s lips is whether Hull KR can go all the way this season.
There’s no doubt that Rovers have been the team of the season so far and have a real chance of returning to Wembley in the Challenge Cup when they take on Wigan in a repeat of last year’s semi-final. If they get there, they would be the favorites against Huddersfield or Warrington, providing an opportunity to make up for their devastating loss to Leigh in last year’s final.
However, the Challenge Cup is a one-off competition, and the Grand Final is a different beast altogether. While the League Leaders Shield has seen four first-time winners since 2011, showcasing the openness of Super League, the Grand Final has not had a first-time winner since Leeds in 2004. Only four teams have ever won the Grand Final in the salary cap era, an incredible statistic.
“Hull KR still need to prove they have what it takes to make the Grand Final. The playoffs are a fierce, punishing test at the end of a long season, where the big teams significantly raise their intensity and the schedule is tough.”
Hull KR’s season has also included their worst display of the year at Catalans. Maintaining that level of intensity and consistency over the business end of the season is the real challenge for clubs like Rovers.
While the likes of Wigan, St Helens, and Leeds have proven their ability to deliver in the playoffs, the rest of the league is yet to show they can match that level of performance three games in a row. To have a realistic chance of reaching Old Trafford, a top-two finish is crucial, as last year’s semi-final proved.
Hull KR’s squad depth may count against them in the playoffs, as they would likely face away ties, making the trip to Old Trafford even harder. However, they remain the most likely new name on the trophy, and the job Willie Peters has done at Craven Park is nothing short of miraculous.
Craven Park is the place to be on a Super League weekend, as the team plays a fast, vibrant style of rugby from the first whistle. Hull KR have quickly become the ‘second team’ of plenty of people, and they are certainly the most exciting project in Super League right now under Willie Peters.
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