Wakefield 18 Hull KR 42: Departing Caro proves his worth with Hull KR hat-trick to sink Wakefield

Winger Omari Caro boosted his chances of securing another Super League club by scoring a hat-trick of tries in Hull KR’s 42-18 victory over Wakefield in their last match of the season.
Hull KR's Macauley Hallett scores and celebratesHull KR's Macauley Hallett scores and celebrates
Hull KR's Macauley Hallett scores and celebrates

The 23-year-old former London Broncos player, who was in the shop window after being told he was being released at the club’s recent end-of-season dinner, touched down three times before half-time at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium to take his total for the season to 14.

“I’m really pleased for him,” said Hull KR coach Chris Chester. “He’s got pace to burn and he defended well.

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“He’s a great kid but we need to move on and we’ve strengthened in that area. Omari knows why’s not going to be here but I’m trying to help him get fixed up.”

One man who looks set for a long future at Hull KR is 18-year-old winger Macauley Hallett, who seized on two defensive blunders to score twice before half-time, making it three tries in just two Super League appearances.

“Macauley has been good for us,” said Chester.

“He does not look out of place and has certainly proved me wrong.

“I had big doubts about him, more to do with his attitude but he’s turned himself around and worked hard to get into the squad. I knew he had talent but I just had a few issues with him in and around the club.”

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With full-back Greg Eden going over for the first of his two tries on his farewell appearance, Rovers had the game won by half-time when they led 30-0.

“I felt we were dominant for 50 or 60 minutes,” said Chester. “It was probably the best half of football we’ve played. I’m really proud of the honesty and commitment in that first 40.

“We’ve a few things to fix up but I’m happy with the result, if I’m not happy with the season as a whole.” Keal Carlile also crossed for Hull KR, with Craig Hall adding fve goals.

Chester, whose side climbed two places to finish above arch rivals Hull FC in ninth, has re-shaped his threequarter line for 2015 with the signing of Kieran Dixon, Darrell Goulding, Ken Sio and Josh Mantellato but is still hoping to further strengthen his squad and is making a new hooker his priority after co-captain Josh Hodgson played his last game for the club on Sunday.

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Hodgson, who is joining Canberra Raiders on a two-year contract, has played himself into the England squad and will be a major loss to Rovers.

While Hodgson bowed out on a high, Wakefield were unable to provide a fitting send-off for veteran prop Andy Raleigh as they end the season in calamitous fashion to finish in 12th place.

Wildcats coach James Webster said: “They played it simple and effective and we were not able to match them physically in that first half.

“It was our Achilles heel. We were unable to stop a team rolling down the pitch and we got what we deserved. It was not of a first-grade standard.”

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Raleigh, who began his professional career at Hull KR and also played for home-town club Huddersfield, at least had the satisfaction of scoring a try on his farewell appearance before hanging up his boots. Other Wakefield tries came from Dean Collis and Chris Riley, with Paul Sykes kicking three goals.

“To play 291 first-grade games is fantastic and it was good for him to score a try and play big minutes like he did today,” said Webster. “He could hold his head up.”

Wakefield: Sykes, Owen, Collis, Lyne, Riley, Godinet, T. Smith, Anderson, McShane, Raleigh, Gilmour, Washbrook, Molloy. Substitutes: Wildie, Lauitiiti, Annakin, D. Smith.

Hull K R: Eden, Caro, Salter, Welham, Hallett, Burns, Hall, A. Walker, J. Hodgson, Weyman, Lovegrove, Horne, Costigan. Substitutes: Green, Cox, Carlile, Larroyer.

Referee: R Hicks (RFL).