Hull KR coach Tony Smith ‘frustrated’ as miles mount up for the Robins

THE irony of tonight’s Hull derby being played in St Helens is not lost on anyone, especially Hull KR head coach Tony Smith.

The Super League fixture has, of course, rightfully been played on neutral turf before, with various Magic Weekend games in Cardiff, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Manchester.

However, given the current Covid-related circumstances, it is no surprise that taking this contest to the Totally Wicked Stadium in Sky’s televised behind-closed-doors double-header - a round trip of about 230 miles - has courted controversy.

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Smith, whose side are bottom of the competition, admits he is “very frustrated” by the prospect, especially given his side were among four Yorkshire clubs caught up in traffic problems on the M62 heading to the same venue a week ago.

But, aside from that, since the sport emerged from lockdown in August, the Robins have had it particularly tough on the road.

“We’re the most travelled team out of anyone,” he said, not including French side Catalans Dragons.

“We’ve done over 1,000 miles on buses.

“The next closest to us with 784 is Hull FC.

Frustrated Hull KR coach Tony Smith. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.Frustrated Hull KR coach Tony Smith. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Frustrated Hull KR coach Tony Smith. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

“There’s one club I think at 285 miles travelled since lockdown so it is frustrating.

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“It’s a challenge and I’d have liked to have said we’ve handled it better but there’s very little we can do about it. There’s been no talk of home games for us and we’ve just rolled our sleeves up.

“I’m not complaining about it; it’s part of the situation and the reality. Of course I’ve not taken Catalans into account and we didn’t count the miles when we went there. Some teams haven’t gone there.

“Some teams have had five home games. We’ve had zero. There’s one other club that’s had zero - Wigan - but they haven’t had to travel as far as we had.

“Over to Lancashire is part of the bug bear. We had four Yorkshire teams last Thursday all get stuck in traffic travelling to Lancashire and there were no Lancashire teams playing.

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“It’s been an unusual season all over and this is another abnormality we have to deal with.”

Smith was not on the bus last week and neither is he tonight as his self-isolation period - after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid - does not end until Sunday.

This is the third game the Australian will coach his team remotely while being in constant contact with pitchside assistant Dave Hodgson.

Sunday’s 48-18 loss and the manner of the defeat at Wakefield Trinity, the side they are battling with to avoid the wooden spoon, was particularly galling. It gave the impression of a side that just wanted this season over and done with.

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But Smith, who rested key players then in readiness for tonight, hopes the old city rivalry will help spark a response.

“We’ve got to get up for it and dust ourselves off,” he said, with Rovers having lost eight of their nine games.

“We are probably lacking confidence at the moment.

“Hopefully the derby gets everyone up and ready to go.

“Everyone realises the importance of the derby particularly if they’ve been in this city long enough. It’s bragging rights until the next time you play. It’s going to be a long time after this one so I’d love to finish on a high and get some bragging rights for a while longer.”

Rovers lost 25-16 at KCOM Stadium in February and Hull have won three of their last four games but, with Matt Parcell, Kane Linnett and Weller Hauraki among those returning, Smith knows his side have the ability to stirke.

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