Hull rivals both put spring in their step

The prospect was all too problematic, unnerving in fact, given there was little to offer either of the respective teams much hope.

Injury-ravaged Hull KR failed to win any of their opening six games while rivals Hull FC needed crisis talks having lost three successive matches, culminating in an embarrassing 46-6 defeat at Widnes Vikings.

Yet it is amazing what a solitary win can do; Rovers finally came good by beating Salford Red Devils on Sunday, less than 48 hours after Hull FC halted their own slump with victory over Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Both represent only marginal gains but, in context, both sides have a spring in their step now leading into the Easter fixture at KC Lightstream Stadium.

All of which means there is potential there for another derby classic in the 10th year of Super League meetings between east and west.

For Rovers prop James Green, who was a towering presence in that win over Salford, the relief at finally winning was palpable.

“The pressure was building in the media, but we want to set our standards ourselves,” he said.

“As professionals, you take it personally when you get results like we have been, and we’ve really pulled our fingers out.

“I think the Wakefield loss was a big turning point for us, getting booed by our own fans, and rightly so.

“They had every right to. We were below-par and weren’t good enough.

“The boys have really took that to heart and since then, there’s been a really big change in attitude and to how we apply ourselves.

“The poor run was always in the back of my mind, but one of the points (coach) James Webster has made is really focusing on one job at a time, whether it be one play or one game at a time.

“He’s really brought in some good procedures and is drilling it into us.”

Webster, of course, has taken over since Chris Chester was stood down as head coach following the defeat to Wakefield.

The Salford victory was only his second game in charge and it alleviated so much of the burden on the club while also offering a perfect route into the derby.

Beverley-born Green knows Rovers - with young hooker George Lawler continuing to impress - will have to raise their game again for the visit of FC who, especially up front, have made some significant recruitment with the likes of Kiwi stars Frank Pritchard and Sika Manu.

“They’ve signed some great players,” he admitted.

“Over the season they’ve blown teams away, but at the same time, they’ve not really got their things together. Hopefully we catch them on a day like that.

“Even if they’re on the ball, we’re ready for them. Looking at the team they have assembled, it’s going to be an even bigger challenge, but with bigger challenges come bigger opportunities.

“It’s been a good build-up. Both teams are going into it on the back of a win and it’s a challenge we’re really looking forward to, like most derbies.”

Hull vice-captain Danny Houghton knows all about the influence of Webster having been coached by the Australian when he was an assistant at KC Stadium during 2010 and 2011.

“He’ll get them playing,” was the England Knights hooker’s blunt response.

“He’s a good coach. He’ll drill them really well and they look a decent team. But it’s all about us Friday. Not Hull KR.”

The Airlie Birds have made their own tentative steps to recovery with that 22-4 success against Wakefield who, coincidentally, saw Chester take the reins for the first time.

Hull-born Houghton, 27, said: “It is good to now go in to Friday on a win, but derby week is derby week and we know form goes straight out of the window.

“It’s the team that is willing to do the hard things most and who is more willing to win the game.

“We’ll work hard in training on little things this week and hopefully turn up with a good attitude on Friday. It was just a relief to get the points against Wakefield after three straight defeats.

“We knew they’d come and front up and they did to be fair to them.

“But we had a little bit of class on the edge, which got us a few tries, and now we need to build.”