Hull KR will have little time to lick their wounds after the shock opening defeat to York Knights, with the World Club Challenge now less than a week away against NRL heavyweights Brisbane Broncos.
Head coach Willie Peters has urged his hurting players to ‘own’ the performance and turn the lessons learned into action at the MKM Stadium next Thursday.
York Knights marked a landmark occasion – their first-ever Super League appearance following promotion – with a dramatic 19-18 victory over the reigning champions at a sold-out LNER Community Stadium.
The result went against the script for Rovers, but determination will be high to right their wrongs next week in front of a global audience.
“We’re not going to skim over it [the York performance], we need to own it – all of us,” Peters said.
“It’s important that we all take responsibility for what we did. Certain individuals, I’m sure, will take more responsibility, because we need to learn now and move on – and by move, I mean action.”
Peters is also relaxed about whatever disciplinary outcome comes Mikey Lewis’ way following his trip on Liam Harris, the game’s momentum shift after the England international was sin-binned in a pivotal moment of the contest.
A suspension at this stage, however, appears unlikely under the game’s points system.
“I don’t know what you get for trips,” Peters added. “It is what it is, and you get what you deserve in this game. Whatever he gets, he gets.”
Brisbane Broncos landed in England earlier this week, arriving at Heathrow before continuing their preparations for the blockbuster showdown at The Lensbury, the high-performance resort previously used by the All Blacks and Manchester United.
They are also scheduled to link up with both London Broncos and Hull FC as part of their preparations.
