This article originally appeared in Monday’s League Express. Why wait until next weekend to read this week’s stories? In just a few clicks you can read League Express when it comes out each and every Sunday night by clicking here.
Hull KR coach James Webster is hoping that their shock Challenge Cup defeat to Oldham earlier this season will battle-harden them for the upcoming challenge of the Qualifiers.
Rovers were the victims to arguably the upset of the season so far earlier this year when part-timers Oldham dumped them out of the Challenge Cup on their own ground.
And ahead of their opening Qualifiers match against Batley this Sunday, Webster told League Express he hopes his players have learned from that disappointing afternoon.
“We’ve tasted a Championship team coming to our ground this year and although it was painful at the time, it will hold us in good stead for the opener at the weekend,” said Webster.
“Rugby League is a lot about mental preparation. We had eleven players out that day against Oldham but, in saying that, we got beat physically.
“When we play Batley, Featherstone, London and Leigh it’s going to be a physical war and we need to be ready for that. “I’ve watched a lot of the Championship; I went to Featherstone v Bradford and it was an unbelievable atmosphere. Featherstone deserved their win and one thing I’ve noticed about the Championship sides is that they’re strong.
“There’s no difference between Super League and Championship when it comes to physicality; they make you work so hard and we’re preparing ourselves to be really tested.”
Webster hopes that he will be able to welcome back a trio of key players for the game against the Bulldogs.
“None of our long-term injuries will feature of course, but Shaun Lunt, Mitch Allgood and Iain Thornley should all be good to go,” he added. “I’m hoping that they’ll train and be fit and raring to go against Batley.”
This article originally appeared in Monday’s League Express. Why wait until next weekend to read this week’s stories? In just a few clicks you can read League Express when it comes out each and every Sunday night by clicking here.
