Bradford Bulls v Hull KR: Willie Peters makes case for defence as Robins find form
There is an old saying that attack wins games and defence wins titles.
Hull KR boss Willie Peters knows that better than most after guiding the club to the Super League title with the competition’s best defensive record last season.
Famously, no team in NRL history has recovered from conceding 50 points in a game to win the competition.
There are examples of Super League sides bouncing back to claim titles – the great Leeds Rhinos teams of 2004, 2012 and 2017 among them – but it remains a far from encouraging statistic.
That is why it was important for the Robins to quickly rediscover their defensive standards in the wake of their 58-6 Las Vegas defeat by Leeds.
Recent weeks have offered signs of that steel returning, none more so than last week’s 46-0 win over Toulouse Olympique in the south of France.
"It's no secret that we enjoy keeping teams to zero," said Peters. "It's very difficult to do, especially with the ruck speed and the way the game is this year.
"Toulouse are a good attacking side so I was really pleased with that. It's an area we focus on as our number one priority.
"You can talk about it but actioning it is the most important thing. We're heading in the right direction in that aspect.
"It's something we need to keep working hard on because, as I've always said, the teams there at the end of the year are the best defensive teams."
Rovers are trending in the right direction following a slow start shaped by unprecedented challenges.
Peters' men have won their last four games, scoring 170 points and conceding just 26.
Saturday's opponents Bradford Bulls, meanwhile, are on the slide amid a worsening injury crisis.
However, the Super League newcomers were competitive in every game prior to last week's drubbing by Wakefield Trinity – a fact not lost on Peters.
"Bradford have been extremely consistent with the way they've played," said the Australian, referring to their enterprising style.
"Last week was the only game I'm sure they weren't satisfied with afterwards.
"But we know what we're going to get this week. They'll bounce back at home."
Bradford made a strong start in front of their fans with three straight wins, underlining their potential as a Super League force.
Peters understands the Odsal challenge from his own playing days.
"They were one of the big four," he recalled.
"I enjoyed playing there. It was a great atmosphere. Being a big club, they always had great support – and still do.
"I'm looking forward to going back there and feeling the atmosphere again.
"More importantly, I'm looking forward to 2,000 KR fans going over there and cheering for us. As always, we need to give them something to cheer about."
Rovers travel without experienced centre Oliver Gildart but are in relatively good health.
By contrast, Bradford began the week with just 15 fit players and had to send an SOS to former Castleford Tigers winger Greg Eden after losing Esan Marsters for the season and Joe Mellor to a long-term injury.
With only one recognised half-back at his disposal in Chris Atkin, Kurt Haggerty believes the pressure is firmly on Hull KR.
"The world champions are coming to Odsal so there's no bigger game," he said.
"It doesn't matter what team we put out this weekend, it's a free hit for us.
"We're going to entertain our fans, put on a show against a very good team and hopefully go toe to toe with them."
With Jayden Nikorima and Rowan Milnes among a growing casualty list, Haggerty has been left searching for answers.
So far, he has not found them.
"I've had that many conversations and challenged that many people in the environment," he said. "And I've spoken to different people at other clubs.
"There are probably so many different factors, like the six agains and doing 60 or 70 more tackles than you'd usually make in a game, and change of surfaces.
"I'm not the smartest man to sit here and say why we're getting all these injuries. Ultimately, I don't know the answer."
With Wigan Warriors next up for Bradford, things could get tougher before they improve.
But one thing Haggerty will not do is gamble on untested players.
"I have experienced this before at Salford and seen the damaging effect of playing lads who weren't ready to step up to this level," he said.
"Our academy aren't full-time and neither are the reserves. There's a duty of care from me over playing those players.
"It's a very tricky situation – but I would never put any of those young lads at risk playing at this level, especially against a team like Hull KR."