Hull KR Head Coach Willie Peters Acknowledges Defensive Woes Ahead of Challenge Cup Semi-Final Clash with Wigan
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has openly addressed his team’s defensive issues on the right edge, insisting that the criticism is warranted as they prepare to face Wigan in a highly anticipated Challenge Cup semi-final rematch.
The Robins have struggled defensively on their right side in recent weeks, conceding around 50% more tries compared to the left edge. This was evident in their previous defeat to Warrington, where they let in three tries down that channel.
Peters acknowledges that they cannot afford to be as defensively vulnerable against a Wigan side seeking revenge for last year’s heartbreaking loss. “The noise hasn’t been noise because it’s been there,” he told Love Rugby League. “It’s evident. In the last couple of weeks, it’s not been where we want to be.”
The coach revealed that his team has been working tirelessly in training this week to address the issues on the right edge, while also looking to improve their overall defensive performance. “We can’t be letting in 20 points in games, and the last two weeks, the ease we’ve let opposition score tries – especially at the weekend – we can’t be doing that,” he said.
Peters noted that the new right-edge combination of Tyrone May, Peta Hiku and Joe Burgess is still gelling, with Burgess arriving late in pre-season and Hiku spending most of the pre-season training at fullback. However, he acknowledged that the team had been making “uncharacteristic” defensive decisions in recent matches, which they are determined to rectify.
“Tyrone was jumping out of the line and the other two were back, then we had Peta jumping out of the line while the other two were back, then Budgie did it, and it was like they’d just played their first game together,” Peters explained. “The week before, there were some tries we weren’t overly proud of too, but that’s an area we’ll put right.”
The Robins will be eager to address their defensive frailties as they host Wigan in a highly anticipated Challenge Cup semi-final rematch, with both teams determined to secure a place in the final.
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