Wakefield Trinity v Hull KR - Robins must meet challenges head on

The sides are locked together at the foot of the ladder on six points and a win percentage of just 20.

Rovers have a superior points difference, but with both teams facing their second Super League encounter in four days, the result this weekend will come down to grit, determination and which squad best manages its recovery.

Tony Smith remains in self-isolation so assistant-coach David Hodgson will be in charge of Rovers for the second time, following the 38-24 loss to Castleford Tigers two days ago.

The Robins face four games in the 14 days Smith will be away from the club, including a derby against Hull FC at St Helens next Thursday and Hodgson believes their best approach is to meet the challenge head on.

“We have got games to fulfil and it’s the same for all teams,” said the former winger who has been on Rovers’ backroom staff since 2014.

“It is tough for everyone at the minute.

“We will see how our boys have pulled through (from Thursday), the physios will be on to that.

“We will see who is fit and healthy and ready to go.

“We have got a few fresh bodies to bring in and obviously I’ll speak to Tony and see what he wants to do.

“We will come up with a plan leading into Wakefield.”

Hodgson said he is “speaking to Tony regularly” during the head-coach’s spell at home.

“There’ll be a lot of video calling or phoning,” he confirmed.

“We will pick a team together, with all the staff.

“Everyone’s input is important, we need to know who is fresh and ready to go again.

“We have also got a game the following Thursday so it is tough, but we will roll our sleeves up.”

Rovers trailed 24-0 at the end of the first quarter against Castleford and the priority tomorrow will be to get a faster start.

“We have shown we can play some good rugby at times and we are scoring some nice points, but we are giving teams a bit of a head start at the minute and it’s difficult to drag that back,” said Hodgson.

Wakefield will go into their first fixture at Belle Vue since March with renewed confidence.

Their 18-14 victory over Huddersfield Giants ended a run of 10 straight defeats and, coach Chris Chester believes, was an answer to critics who claim he has lost the players’ support.

“We know those kind of comments haven’t come from within the dressing room itself,” insisted Chester.

“I could not be prouder of the way they have stuck together over the last 10 or 12 weeks.

“It (recent form) has not been good enough and one win doesn’t relieve anything, it just gives us something to work with.

“The effort (on Thursday) showed a team that has some pride in the badge.”

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