Millward bemoans Tigers’ abysmal kicking

His side have now failed to win in their last six games after going down 26-22 at Hull KR yet it was another match in which they had the upper hand for large parts.

They led 16-14 at half-time, but failed to build on that and remain rooted in 13th spot.

“I was extremely disappointed with our kicking game,” said Millward.

“It was one of the worst I’ve seen in a long time.

“We didn’t give ourselves an opportunity.

“We had the breeze in the second half, but we put ourselves under a lot of pressure and I can’t believe the scores were so close considering the way we kicked it.”

Ironically, Rangi Chase did come up with a splendid 40/20 in that second period, but Child did not award it and Rovers scored soon after.

It was one of many decisions that left Millward fuming and he continued: “Someone please explain what the rules are in rugby league.

“There’s a lot of things (going on). The 40/20 was a 40/20.

“I was sat next to a referee and he said it was a 40/20 so it makes it very frustrating.

“I’m really confused. We’re in a really bad state in rugby league at the moment because no coaches want to speak to the referees.

“I do ring up and get vilified, ‘Listen, shut your mouth, it’s got nothing to do with you’.

“(But) last week, I explained a couple of things the ref could help with in the ruck area and the first thing Jon Sharp said at the League (RFL) was, ‘Thanks very much, great feedback, we haven’t had that before, we’d like to pass it on and help our refs’.

“I reckon if we work together as coaches, players and referees we can help improve this game and make it easier.”

Hull KR coach Craig Sandercock, who saw his side retain eighth spot with the win, said: “It was good to win a close game especially in freezing conditions like those.

“We weren’t at our best, but we’ve not won one like that for a while.”

Australian half-backs Michael Dobson and Travis Burns were not expected to play due to slight injuries, but both did and proved instrumental.

“They had fitness tests (in the afternoon), but it wasn’t a risk,” insisted Sandercock.