WILLIE PETERS says Hull KR will “embrace” having to play three Super League games in nine days as they prepare for the business end of the season.
Thursday’s visit of Catalans Dragons is the first of a tight run of home fixtures necessitated by the Robins’ World Club Challenge participation in February.
Rovers were scheduled to play Warrington Wolves in round two but that was postponed for their win against Brisbane Broncos, and their run to the Challenge Cup final meant they have had no free weekends.
So the Warrington game will be played next Tuesday, to be followed by Toulouse Olympique on Saturday, August 22.
“I’ve never seen this before but we’re going to embrace it – you have to,” Peters said.
“There’s only two options: you can complain – and I will certainly say that it is too many games and I’ll say that before it happens – or you can embrace it.
“It’s a chance to put ourselves in a really strong position. We spoke about a few options we’ve got and we know which one we will take.
“Players enjoy playing and we’ve looked at it like a schoolboy carnival with six games in two days.
“You enjoy it as a kid and that’s the approach we’re going to take. It’s better than doing pre-season for them and that’s how we are looking at it.”
However, he did add: “The games themselves do need to be looked at. I’ve never heard of that number of games we are having to play in such a short space of time.”