Hull KR’s Jordan Abdull happy testing himself against best Super League can offer

The stylish stand-off goes up against champions St Helens on Friday looking for a repeat of last week’s masterclass.

Abdull – who had not featured since the sport resumed on August 2 – delivered a brilliant performance as Super League’s bottom side stunned the leaders.

With teasing kicks, silky handling, a raft of try assists and some eye-catching runs, the 24-year-old was hugely instrumental in the 34-18 win.

But he told The Yorkshire Post: “I was just glad that I didn’t look like I’d not played for six months.

“It always plays in the back of your mind. In theory, you should be physically and mentally ready to go but there is always that worry of the game-time you’d not had.

“You soon forget about it, though, and just do the things that come naturally to you – playing the sport you’ve been playing since you were a kid.

“I felt like I fitted in nicely and it was like I’d not been away at all.

“It was just a good team performance and one we’ve been building towards.”

Abdull, who rejoined the club from London Broncos in the off-season, has earned praise aplenty for his classy display and making such a difference to KR who had not won in Super League since January 31.

“It was just one of those games where you could have done anything and it would have come off,” he admitted, Rovers’ attractive, adventurous football leaving Wigan shattered. “But I do think that comes down to the way that we play.

“Wigan played a little bit more safe and relied a lot on their back three and their big forwards.

“We did the exact opposite; we tried to get quick play the ball and move them around.

“It was a clash of styles and our style just got the better of them on the day.

“It is something (coach) Tony (Smith) has introduced since we came back from lockdown; to express ourselves with the ball and defend our errors.

“The way we play we probab;y will have more errors than most teams so you have to have the attitude that you will defend those – and don’t go into your shells when you have got the ball.”

With relegation being scrapped, there is also less pressure on Rovers this term.

However, Abdull, who helped them earn promotion while on a season-long loan from Hull FC in 2017, said that is not the underlying reason for their willingness to try anything from anywhere.

“We watched a couple of games back from before lockdown and we looked a little predictable and a bit boring,” he explained.

“Teams knew what we were going to do. I think the best way to keep teams guessing is to change the way you play and not give them a chance to sit down in a video room and predict everything you are going to do.

“I feel like we’d have stuck with this style regardless of the relegation issue. Obviously it’s a big plus because there’s no worry about that now.

“But I think the style was always going to come; we’ve recruited young, fit players who are really skilful with the ball right across the park.

“It’s the best way to get the best out of all of our players as individuals and as a team. We’ll be looking to build momentum now.”

Abdull out-played reigning Steve Prescott Man of Steel Jackson Hastings last Thursday and will now look to do likewise against another Great Britain half-back Jonny Lomax when Rovers meet red-hot new leaders Saints.

“You always want to be the best half on the pitch or on the team with the most comfortable halves,” he said.

“Last week Jackson did pretty much everything for Wigan. He was taking the carries himself, at one point playing like a forward. That’s testament to him and his character; he just wants to win.

“Jonny Lomax is a little different; he has his big plays and is one of the best half-backs in the comp’ so it’s always good to come up against international halves and test yourself against them.

“It’s a good challenge for me.”

Meanwhile, Abdull has had to bide his time after Smith vowed to give players coming to the end of their contracts the chance to impress once rugby league resumed last month.

He paired Jamie Ellis and Ryan Brierley together for defeats against Warrington Wolves and Saints but Abdull – who is contracted until the end of 2021 – and youngster Mikey Lewis impressed versus Wigan.

It is hard to see either of them losing their spot any time soon.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson