How Hull KR could line up in 2022!

With the Super League season just 77 days away, Tony Smith and his coaching staff have some key decisions ahead of the Round One clash against Matty Peats’ Wigan Warriors who will  travel over to East Hull for the opening game of  the 2022 Super League season. Although Tony Smith is happy with his squad, he has admitted he is still looking for recruits heading into the new campaign.

 “We’ will probably be running into the season with the squad we have now, but are we still looking? Yes.” Smith told the Hull Daily Mail

Rovers will field a similar team to last seasons squad which saw the Robins fall just short of Old Trafford losing a hostile Semi-final in the South of France. Tony Smith has always been a tough nut to crack around team selections, but here’s how the Reds could line up come Round One.

Full Back – Lachlan Coote

Three-peat winner Coote joins Rovers after a successful stint at St.Helens. The Scottish international’s decision to swap Merseyside for Humberside showed a real statement of intent from the club and the long-term goals from CEO Paul Lakin and Smith. Coote will add leadership, game management and experience to Rovers in 2022 and his link-up play with the rest of the spine and defensive structuring from full-back will be vital for Rovers heading into the new year. His goalkicking will also boost the Robins with Abdull and Crooks struggling to convert in 2021′. Some say Coote is the signing of 2022, only time will tell if Coote can create the same impact at his new club.

Crooks penned a one-year extension with the Reds at the back end of the 2021′ campaign after covering almost every position in the backline after injury’s to Ethan Ryan, Greg Minikin and Adam Quinlan. Crooks came under scrutiny during a poor run of form but will be hoping to carry on his try-scoring form, adding to his 31 tries in his favourite and most comfortable position. Ethan Ryan will be challenging Crooks for the spot, but with the former Bradford man currently in a cast, expect Crooks to don the number two shirt this season and feature again in most games in 2022.

Right Centre – Brad Takairangi

When Rovers’ announced the capture of Takairangi, expectations were high with his exciting style of play and NRL experience. 2021 was a mixed bag for the former Parramatta star who struggled to find consistency in his first season as he struggled defensively. Like Crooks, Taka found himself in a number of positions but seemed to produce his best performances in the outside-backs and with the 2022 World Cup just around the corner, the Cook Island star will be hoping for a better second year in East Hull, before representing the Cooks in what could be his final World Cup.

Left Centre – Shaun Kenny-Dowall

The Rovers skipper was sensational in 2021 with his leadership and chemistry with the rest of the left-hand side earning the Kiwi stalwart a new deal that will take him into his third year at Craven Park. Nailed on for the left centre role, Kenny-Dowall’s marker runs around the ruck and steller defence made him a fans favourite during a heroic campaign. SKD will be 34 come Round One, and with his deal running out at the end of 22′, the former New Zealand international will be aiming to carry on his form in what could be his final season as a professional.

Left-Wing – Ryan Hall

After failing to score a try for two years, Hall crossed the whitewash 16 times for Tony Smith’s men in 2021 which saw him pen an extension on his current deal meaning the legendary winger will ply his trade with the Robins until the end of 2023. Hall’s yardage in attack frequently set KR on the front foot with the England record holder still causing havoc for Super League defences. Hall turns 34 on Saturday, but the six-time Grand final winner will be hoping to impress England boss Shaun Wane, with the hope to represent his country and add to his 36 tries in 38 games.

Stand-Off – Mikey Lewis

2021 saw the breakthrough of many young English prospects, none other than Mikey Lewis. Sky Sports pundit Phil Clarke compared Lewis’s 2021 season to Benji Marshall’s 2005 season with the Wests Tigers, with the Hull-born half earning an England Knights appearance and a new deal until 2025 with the reds after his breakout year, including an outstanding individual try in KR’s 19-0 play-off victory against Warrington. Lewis will face fierce competition with Rowan Milnes during pre-season to cement the stand-off position, but with his off the cuff style of play and blistering pace, Smith will have to find a good reason not to start the future star.

Scrum-Half – Jordan Abdull

Man of Steel nominee Abdull produced his best rugby in 2021 earning him an England call up and a first cap in October. His high balls and strength near the line virtually won certain games for Rovers last season but the main difference were his skills and leadership, with Abdull’s game management getting KR over the line in tight clashes last season. The partnership of Abdull and Lewis could be the pairing for many years to come and with the addition of Coote, the trio could take Rovers to the next level in 2022 and like many players, will be aiming to be selected for the Wall of White for the world cup.

Prop – Matty Storton

No-nonsense promising forward Storton is everything a modern-day prop should be. Initially starting in the back row, the former Bradford man leaves everything on the pitch and his engine in the pack will be key for replacing Castleford bound George Lawler. Only 22, Storton is a star for the future but his maturity and aggressive style of play has earned him the right to be considered for a starting spot. After making 19 appearances for Hull KR last season, Storton will again be a dominant figure in the red and white pack.

Hooker – Matt Parcell

Hull KR’s transfer business in Super League has always been questioned, but the swap deal between Parcell and Shaun Lunt in 2019 will go down as one of the best in recent history. The Australian’s speed around the ruck and defensive efforts have seen the hooker produce the best Rugby of his career. If Parcell is on form, it normally results in a Rovers victory and his partnership with Jez Litten is up to their with the best dummy-half partnerships in the league. If Parcell can have an injury-free season and continue his form, don’t be surprised to see Rovers tie down the influential Aussie.

Prop – George King

A deal until the end of 2025 was given to the Irish forward after a fantastic 2021. Signing at the end of 2020 from Wakefield, King has taken his game to the next level and has developed into a leading front-rower. Like his partner Storton, King carries hard and has the stamina to produce big minutes in the middle of the park. Both starting props will be aiming to set the platform for the substitutes. If King and Storton can take the brunt of the opening quarter and weather the storm, it will put Rovers in good stead for the final hour.

Right Second Row – Dean Hadley

Mr reliable Hadley was struck down with injury’s throughout 2021 with the talented back-rower opting to delay his shoulder operation to help Smith’s depleted side in their aim for the playoffs. His ball skills and attitude both on and off the field is shown in his work ethic and dedication to the cause. On his day Hadley offers Rovers versatility and experience needed in a young squad and the Hull-born forward has no intensions of leaving East Hull in a hurry and will be praying for a better 2022.

Left Second Row – Kane Linnett

Another hero from 2021. The NRL winner showed his class and slick style of play last year and created a fantastic partnership with Kenny-Dowall and Abdull. 13 tries in an ever-present season saw Linnett make the Super League Dream team for his efforts. Linnett’s deal runs out at the end of 2022 but if the Scotsman carries on where he left off, Rovers do have the option to trigger a deal until 2023. The big red machine is getting better each year and will be trying to go one better next time around.

Loose Forward – Elliot Minchella

After becoming a shining light in a woeful 2020, Minchella aimed to kick on in 21′ but was cruelly ruled out of the season suffering an ACL injury in Round Two. The forward’s road to recovery has been long, but he is raring to go in 2022. If Minchella can carry on from his standout season, he will be like a new signing for the Robins. His style of play is everything KR missed last season, a ball playing forward who treats each run and tackle like it’s his last. January 21st sees Hull KR travel to Dewsbury for their first friendly of the season, a game Minchella will be targeting as he edges back into the starting 13.

SUB – Jez Litten

As brilliant as Jez was in 2021, it seems like the hooker is just getting started. Along with Lewis, Litten has a deal until 2025 with the Robins and has become a vital cog in the side since his 2019 cross-city move. Jez provides a high level of skills and speed off the bench and has outshone his counterpart Parcell in games in 21′. Ever-present for the Reds, Litten is enjoying every moment in East Hull and at the age of 23, could be part of the set-up at Craven Park for another decade. Another big season is expected by the talisman.

SUB – Albert Vete

The 115kg Tongan prop forward failed to gain any momentum after fighting with his fitness throughout the year. Vete’s form improved as he produced more minutes but has to improve in 2022. Vete is a character and is loved by the fans due to his passion for the club and community, but will be aiming for a big pre-season to make a real impact on Super League in his second year at KR. If used correctly by Smith, Vete can be a real weapon off the bench and stream roll tired defences before the half-time and full-time whistle.

SUB – Korbin Sims

Very similar to Albert Vete. Sims showed glimpses of what Rovers have lacked for so long but became a liability on the pitch after struggling to stay fit and when the Fijian forward did play he failed to make an impact apart from giving away silly penalties and trying too hard causing Sims to fall down the pecking order. His Rovers career isn’t over just yet and after spending time with his son back home in Australia, the hope is Korbin comes back with a point to prove and follows in the footsteps of his captain in his second year in East Hull. Like Vete, a positive pre-season under his belt could change Sims’s fortunes in Super League and will be hoping to nail down a sub spot and provide a much more positive impact on the field in 22 before he aims to represent Fiji in the World Cup.

SUB – Luis Johnson

Wrapping up the 17 is another young forward who stood out in 2021. When Robbie Mulhern swapped with Johnson, many eyebrows were raised, but Tony Smiths faith in the Jamaican paid off as Johnson’s exciting style of play on the right-hand side saw him play 20 games in 21′ including a heroic effort in the final few weeks of the season with an abundance of injury’s. Unlike Vete and Sims who are out-and-out prop forwards, Johnson offers a utility role off the bench with the former Warrington man having the ability to play any position in the pack as he looks to represent the Reggae Warriors in England come October. New signings Greg Richards, Frankie Halton and Tom Garrett will provide a test for Johnson in the early stages of the season, but like so many of the players under Tony Smith, Johnson has age on his side and is only getting started in the game.

Joe Appleyard

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