Luke Gale's View From The Pitch - We need to storm back and get off the mark

IT IS always a bit strange when you get up for a game and then it doesn’t happen.
Ava Seumanufagai. PIC: Max Flego/TGS PhotoAva Seumanufagai. PIC: Max Flego/TGS Photo
Ava Seumanufagai. PIC: Max Flego/TGS Photo

Hopefully that’s not going to occur again this season, but the game at Huddersfield being called off last week gives Ava Seumanufagai another week to get over his knee injury and he should be good to go tonight against Hull KR.

It’s also a bit longer for blokes like Kruise Leeming, Tom Briscoe and Stevie Ward who, hopefully, will be fit and available when we eventually do play Huddersfield.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And the main thing is, the weather last Sunday was terrible. If we had played, the wind and rain would have ruined the game, plus it was going to be dangerous for fans getting to the match.

Leeds Rhinos captain, Stevie Ward. PIC: Steve RidingLeeds Rhinos captain, Stevie Ward. PIC: Steve Riding
Leeds Rhinos captain, Stevie Ward. PIC: Steve Riding

I remember a game for Castleford against Warrington on Easter Monday a couple of years ago when it was like playing in a swimming pool.

No exageration, parts of the pitch were completely under water. We had two games to fit in already at that stage so everyone was really keen to get it on, but it was a farce really. We lost 18-6, but it was a complete lottery so I think the decision last week made sense.

From what I’ve heard, the pitch was playable, but it comes down to the safety of the spectators – forget about us in the middle, it doesn’t matter how cold we are!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The coldest I’ve ever been during a game was a pre-season friendly against Leeds in 2017. Ryan Hall was playing for Leeds and I remember looking up to kick a ball and Hally, who was supposed to be defending, had both hands tucked under his armpits, trying to get warm.

On-the-mend Leeds Rhinos hooker, Kruise Leeming. PIC: Tony Johnson/JPIMediaOn-the-mend Leeds Rhinos hooker, Kruise Leeming. PIC: Tony Johnson/JPIMedia
On-the-mend Leeds Rhinos hooker, Kruise Leeming. PIC: Tony Johnson/JPIMedia

The lads have told me Brian McDermott’s team talk at half-time was “I’m not bothered what you do, just survive!”.

I suppose that’s what you get when you begin a season in January or February. The problem our club – and a few others – have got now is fitting postponed games into the schedule. I’m glad it’s not me who has to work that out, because there’s no breaks at all.

The club management must have been biting their nails last weekend when the river at Kirkstall broke its banks. Everyone knows what happened in 2016 when the training complex was flooded, but it has not been as bad this time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The all-weather pitch is flooded and some water got into the building, but it hasn’t affected our prep’ for tonight. The guys did a great job of protecting Kirkstall and the flood barriers worked well.

We also use Weetwood Hall a lot, which is a great facility and they look after us. We’ve been lucky enough to go there this week and use their 4g and everything has run smoothly. It’s never ideal when something like that happens, but we’ve been fine.

It is a big game this evening. We have played a game less than most other teams and we need to get off the mark. Hull KR are playing well and I think they shocked Hull last week, even though they didn’t win. I thought they were quite unlucky to lose that one so we know what we are up against. They throw the ball about well, there’s plenty of off-loads in them and we will have to be right on top of our game. After the opening week’s disappointment at Headingley we want to get our season up and running and give our fans something to cheer.

We’ll all be thinking about Mose Masoe this evening. He is still in hospital after his spinal injury and I know our club are dedicating tonight to him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rhinos lead the way in stuff like that, the things they do are classy touches and it is great rugby league in general has got behind Mose.

James Donaldson’s a friend of his and has been to see him a couple of times. I am hearing positive reports saying he is getting better day in and day out, so speedy recovery to him.