Hull Kingston Rovers won’t simply roll over, warns the YEP’s Leeds Rhinos Jury

The emphatic Leeds Rhinos Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over Hull KR has put fans in a Wembley frame of mind.
Rhyse Martin touches down for Leeds Rhinos in the Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPImedia.Rhyse Martin touches down for Leeds Rhinos in the Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPImedia.
Rhyse Martin touches down for Leeds Rhinos in the Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPImedia.

Before then, there’s a semi-final against Wigan Warriors to contemplate. And, before that, the prospect of meeting Hull Kingston Rovers once again, this time in Super League.

A repeat performance by Rhinos, reckons our fans’ YEP Jury, will produce a similar result to last week’s cup encounter.

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However, the jurors are unanimous in their belief that this meeting is unlikely to be that clear cut. The Robins are playing for pride, they’ve pulled off a few surprises already and head coach, Tony Smith, always seems to have ‘something up his sleeve’.

Leeds Rhinos' Kruise Leeming touches down in the Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia.Leeds Rhinos' Kruise Leeming touches down in the Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia.
Leeds Rhinos' Kruise Leeming touches down in the Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Hull Kingston Rovers. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia.

Adam Anderson

The Leeds Rhinos lads pulled out a great performance last week against Hull KR, especially missing players through Covid testing, injuries and suspension.

It was probably the most complete performance by the team since coming back from lockdown.

The upcoming semi-final against Wigan Warriors is going to be tough, as it will entail three games in nine days.

Leeds Rhinos' Ava Seumanufagai has avoided a possible suspension and is clear for selection against Hull KR. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.Leeds Rhinos' Ava Seumanufagai has avoided a possible suspension and is clear for selection against Hull KR. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Leeds Rhinos' Ava Seumanufagai has avoided a possible suspension and is clear for selection against Hull KR. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
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Liam Sutcliffe is playing very well in the centre position and will continue to do so for another few weeks without Konrad Hurrell, who’s in isolation.

I have always rated him; although he is another Mr Utility, he has always been consistent. Hopefully he does stay at the club.

Luke Gale, week in, week out, is playing out of his skin.

This week we play the same opposition, albeit with a Thursday-afternoon kick-off; it’s disappointing that not everyone will be able to watch the game.

It’s likely that Brad Dwyer will walk back into the squad in place of Callum McLelland but, otherwise, I don’t think there will be many changes.

Christine Kidd

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Last Friday’s Challenge Cup game against Hull KR was a superb team effort.

The Rhinos controlled the game for 60 of the 80 minutes.

Being 30-0 up at half-time must make it difficult to motivate yourself for the second half but, after a scrappy 20 minutes, Leeds managed to get the momentum back and score three more converted tries. Richie Myler had another outstanding game at full-back and Kruise Leeming had his best game since he joined Rhinos.

Tomorrow is a re-run of last week’s game as Leeds face Hull KR once again. Ava Seumanufagai has escaped a ban so will be available for selection. Hull KR will probably play better than they did last week as there is no pressure on them owing to there being no relegation.

They seemed a little constrained last week compared to how they have been performing. Rhinos will need to be on top form again as Rovers will be out for revenge after their Challenge Cup defeat.

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But a Leeds win should be on the cards if they play anything like they did last week.

Graham Poulter

That was a nine-out-of-10 team performance by Leeds Rhinos in their convincing Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over Hull KR last Friday night.

Leeds got off to a very fast start, for a change. It makes all the difference when a team is dominant from the first whistle; it sets the tempo for the game.

From then on Leeds hardly put a foot wrong and had Rovers on the back foot for most of the game.

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The Challenge Cup gives Leeds, in my opinion, their best opportunity of silverware this season.

And the key now, for Leeds, is to follow up this victory by being consistent for the rest of the season, starting tomorrow afternoon in the league versus Hull KR.

Start fast from the off, run hard and tackle hard, and support each other; they are the basic requirements of the players in every game.

There appears to be a good team spirit amongst the players, which is a good sign, and they can achieve a lot of success by having a good bond together.

So, come on Leeds, keep up the good teamwork!

Dianne Hall

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A potential banana skin was avoided in the Challenge Cup owing to a much better start and a continued improvement in our discipline.

The game was as good as over after we raced to a 24-point lead in the first quarter and before Hull KR had any meaningful possession, aided only by penalties and set restarts. In a very good all-round team performance, my man of the match was Rhyse Martin.

There were also top performances by Ava Seumanufagi, Matt Prior and Alex Mellor in a dominant pack that allowed our half-backs room to run the show.

The victory has set up a mouth-watering tie against Wigan Warriors and also our 18th Challenge Cup semi-final in 25 seasons. This will give us a chance to redeem ourselves after the recent poor league performance against the Cherry and Whites.

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Tomorrow, we take on Hull KR again, this time in the league, in a non-televised game which, for the life of me, I can’t understand why!

With the awkward kick-off time of 2.45pm, viewing this game, via an app, will prove challenging to say the least ...

Ian Sharp

It’s a case of déjà vu this week as we take on Hull Kingston Rhinos again, but in the league this time and, with the new win percentage deciding who is in the play-offs, we need to keep the winning ways going.

We need to start this week just like last time out - fast, positive, aggressive rugby league and give the opposition no chance of getting a foothold in the first 30 minutes. And, more importantly, getting points on the board.

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Our front-row looked on top form again and, with Ava Seumanufagai and Mikołaj Olędzki making meters for fun and Matt Prior punching holes, it was a good performance.

Luke Gale had time to tease and run the game as he had the platform set in front of him. Rhyse Martin was great again. He has been an amazing acquisition to the second-row, and the team in general, and kicks goals for fun.

Richie Myler had another good game at full-back but, with Jack Walker due back anytime, he will be unlucky to lose a place in the side.

I’d play him at six and put Robert Lui on the bench, as I am still not convinced he’s right.

Matt Fowler

What a great win for Leeds Rhinos.

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Performances are starting to pick up and we are playing better for longer.

I think we are finally getting to grips with the new rules and the pace of the game.

The postponed game and two-week preparation has served us well. Challenge Cup games are all about being as error-free as possible, playing for field position and then taking your chances.

We did all three superbly and will go into the semi-final quietly confident.

First up, however, we have two games in a week.

Our first real test of the squad’s strength and depth.

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We will, hopefully, see some of our young prospects get a run in the team either this Thursday or next Wednesday.

It is not ideal preparation for a semi-final but needs must, and I am confident we will see a glimpse into the future.

We need to get through these games injury free and with some energy left in the tank to go at the semi-final with all we have.

We will need it against Wigan.

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