'We weren't aggressive enough' - Hull KR boss plans different approach in Leeds Rhinos rematch

Rovers coach Tony Smith’s initial 21-man squad for the Betfred Super League fixture at Warrington includes only 10 of the side hammered 48-18 six days earlier.

Three of the changes are due to injuries, but Smith also wants to see how some fringe players get on.

“I thought we came up way short last week,” Smith conceded.

“We are going to change a whole lot of players this week and give some fresh faces and some fresh legs an opportunity.

“Hopefully we will find some energy there.

“There will be one or two boys who won’t have played in six months so we can’t expect them to be at the very top of their form, but regardless of what happened last week there are some boys here who deserve a chance and we want to give some experience to.”

Rhinos led 30-0 at half-time last week and though Rovers salvaged some pride after the break, Smith admitted: “We tried hard, but we weren’t aggressive enough in any way, shape or form.”

He said: “Leeds were fine, they did everything they probably set out to do.

“They weren’t special, they were very good in their shape, they took their opportunities, but I thought we presented them with more opportunities than we probably have for a while.

“I am not trying to take anything away from Leeds, I thought they were good and solid with what they did, but I didn’t think they had to be spectacular with some of what we enabled them to do. Quite a few of the tries in recent times we would have shut down.”

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