Roar Guru
Joined January 2015
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A father of 4, Hull Kingston Rovers fan, junior rugby league coach, cyclist and rugby league writer.
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Today the great rugby league city of Kingston upon Hull, so often divided by intercity rivalries between the east and west, the red and…
There were some big moments, unexpected results, and a few controversies in Super League Round 5. Let's look at this week's talking points. 1.…
After Round 4 of the Super League, let's take a look at six of the biggest talking points. 1. Wigan riding their luck Only…
On Wednesday morning Hull Kingston Rovers issued a short statement advising that head coach Chris Chester had been stood down. Chester's assistant Willie Poching…
Following the first round of Super League action, the games kept on rolling. What were the major talking points from Round 2? 1. Vikings…
The English Super League kicked off in controversial fashion last week, as Hull Kingston Rovers hooker John Boudebza was handed a four-match ban for…
Super League is back, having kicked off over the weekend. So what were the talking points out of the first week back? 1. Warrington…
Welcome to the first edition of 2016 of Six to go, looking at some of the things that I'd like to see happen in…
After an exciting ending to the three-Test Series between England and New Zealand, here are a few things I learnt from the match. 1.…
New Zealand drew the Test series with England level, recording a 9-2 victory at London's Olympic Stadium. So what did we learn from the…
Even with all of the speculation that surrounded Sam Burgess since England were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup, I was still surprised…
The build up to the Test Series against New Zealand has got me thinking about my first taste of live Test Match rugby league.…
The Super League semi-finals provided us with two games of contrasting performances and quality. On Thursday night the Wigan Warriors qualified for their third…
As the 2015 Super League season ratchets up to a, hopefully, spectacular conclusion with two mouth-watering semi-finals followed by the grand final Saturday, my…
At the start of the season I tipped Warrington Wolves to win the Super League competition. I felt the addition of 2014 Man of…
Adrian Morley has been one of the stand-out British rugby league players of the last 20 years, and there can be no questioning his…
James Webster is back in rugby league, an outstanding appointment as the first head coach of the controversial joint City of Hull Academy. The…
I feel some sympathy for the plight that Richie Mathers finds himself in. The six-month ban Mathers recently received from the RFL for a…
Sack Chris Chester. Ben Cockayne should have played fullback instead of Kieran Dixon. James Green should have been on the bench instead of Dane…
The last time Hull Kingston Rovers and Leeds (before they became the Rhinos) met in a major Challenge Cup tie was 1986, and the…
I’ve just seen this SA – thanks for your sympathy mate. 😉
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR: Challenge Cup final live scores, blog
Niall, I agree about Cuthbertson – as good as he is I don’t think England need him. I also agree with your Hardaker selection but I don’t think Steve McNamara will select an England side without Sam Tomkins in it, likewise James Roby, and I think he should accommodate both players. With that in mind, In would select ST at full back with Hardaker in the centres – Zak needs to be in the side. I must admit I don’t know how Reed has been going this season with Brisbane. Alex Walmsley has had a great season – I don’t think he will start but I would definitely have him on the bench and I wouldn’t have Joel Tomkins anywhere near the squad. My team would be:
1. Sam Tomkins
2. Tom Briscoe
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Zak Hardaker
5. Jermaine McGillvary (he’s on fire at the moment, although McNamara will select Hall)
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Matt Smith
8. Chris Hill
9. James Roby
10. James Graham
11. Liam Farrell
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Sean O’Loughlin
14. Josh Hodgson
15.George Burgess
16. Ben Currie
17. Alex Walmsley
When Wembley dreams turn into nightmares
Hi Cathar, I remember Zook Ema well – he was a very good player born and bred in Hull. I was at both of those games you mention – the John Player Trophy Final was held at the old home of Hull City AFC, Boothferry Park, in front of over 25,000 fans. It was a very cold day. The Mal Meninga season at St. Helens is still legendary. They were just too good that day but we did knock them out of the Challenge Cup earlier in the season. 😉
When Wembley dreams turn into nightmares
Thanks Geoff. Fortunately, I have memories of when Hull KR where the best team in the UK in the early to mid 80’s and won multiple trophy’s.
It’s been fantastic to follow Josh’s progress over the last year – my missus knows his family well and he loves life over there and I think he deserves to at least be the back up England hooker for the Test Series against New Zealand.
When Wembley dreams turn into nightmares
Thanks Jason – I guess there were quite a few contenders. Ellery, Shaun Edwards and Andy Gregory all won multiple Challenge Cup Finals but Offiah is there mainly because of his iconic 90 metre try against Leeds in the 1994 Challenge Cup Final. It’s a fantastic piece of work.
When Wembley dreams turn into nightmares
‘Abide with Me’ sung by Lizzie is a moment that will stay with me for a long time Tim. We moan a lot about what can be improved in our game and what we should change – but one thing I would not change is the people. The tragedy of Danny Jones passing away has brought the game closer together than ever over here.
When Wembley dreams turn into nightmares
Really happy that Josh Hodgson has settled in so well at Canberra and has had a top quality season – he was a stand out player for Hull KR and we were gutted when he left. I just hope that his form in the NRL get’s him a place in the England squad for the New Zealand Series at the end of the year – I think Hodgson deserves to back up James Roby rather that Warrington’s Daryl Clark who has had a disappointing year on the back of winning the Man of Steel in 2014.
Canberra Raiders season review: Missed it by that much
What about Super League?
Leeds Rhinos need a hooker now that Paul Aiton has signed for Catalans Dragons!!
Where to next for Matt Ballin?
The on field celebrations went on for a long time because it is 29 years since the club last got to a Challenge Cup final and it was worth every minute celebrating – I was there – Hull KR is a club with a proud history and heritage that hasn’t had too much to celebrate in the last 30 years and haven’t performed exceptionally well this season.
Hull KR will know how tough a test this Leigh game is and this is THE acid test for Leigh – on our day Hull KR can beat ANY team in Super League – we have beaten 6 of the top 8 teams this season – it really does depend on which Hull KR turn up on the day – the one that will fight and defend and play with pride and passion like they did against Warrington last weekend – or the one that capitulated to St. Helens the week before without so much as a meow!!
This will be a very tough game – but I expect Hull KR to edge it.
Rovers need to focus on Centurion challenge
Couldn’t believe it on Saturday Jason – totally unexpected – I didn’t dare to believe!!!
Hull KR are off to Wembley
Thanks Jason – how are the Manly fans feeling at the moment??
Hull KR are off to Wembley
Thanks SA – holidays and work commitments etc. It was a great day mate.
Hull KR are off to Wembley
Against all the odds guys – Hull KR have been handed the Saturday semi final – panic over – I’ll be there!!!
Hull KR through to Challenge Cup semi-finals
Jay C – you have to support Hull KR mate – it’s never dull in Hull and we have enough Aussies to make you feel even more at home. We play a very exciting brand of rugby league at the moment.
Hull KR through to Challenge Cup semi-finals
Thanks SA – gutted at the moment though. We got the semi final draw we wanted, Warrington Wolves, and I found out after the game that one of the semi finals will be on a Friday night – 31st July – I thought they were both on the Saturday and Sunday of that weekend – which was fine for me as I come home from holiday in the early hours of Saturday 1st August – it looks highly likely that Hull KR v. Warrington will be the Friday night semi final – so I will be 35,000 feet over Europe whilst we are playing the semi final – gutted!!! But at least I will be home for the final at Wembley (fingers crossed).
Hull KR through to Challenge Cup semi-finals
Learnt a lot about the Manly club and culture from that piece Jason – really enjoyed reading that and the comments as well.
Manly's renovation job no place for a rookie coach
Jason, is that because the fans don’t like Barratt or because Toovey is a legend of the club or a bit of both??
Koukash goes on the offensive about recent allegations
Reported over here that Burgess, Mateo and Mason will all be released at the end of the year with Trent Barratt coming in as Head Coach – anything similar reported over in Aus?
Koukash goes on the offensive about recent allegations
Thanks Jason – I have just sent a complaint. What do you reckon – Foran to stay with DCE now??
Koukash goes on the offensive about recent allegations
Things are picking up Jason – need to beat Catalans in the Challenge Cup quarter final on Thursday night to keep the momentum going. Albert Kelly has confirmed that he turned down an offer from Manly to stay at Hull KR next year – anything broken about that over in Aus?? Regarding Ellery Hanley, he has no involvement at all in RL at the moment which is a great shame.
Terry Campese out for rest of the year
Albert has really stood up in the last couple of games and taken more of leadership role and is more involved. Maurice has been outstanding all season – he has played second row for the majority and has been stand off for the last two since Campo’s injury and has played very well. Agree with leaving Sandow well alone.
Terry Campese out for rest of the year
Riley, how much Super League have you seen this year? No James Roby, Elliott Whitehead, Alex Walmsley or Chris Hill and you include Josh Charnley and Joel Tomkins. Joe Burgess in the CENTRE and where did Chris Heighington come from – I thought I’d travelled back in time.
Personally, I would not have Daryl Clark in the squad either – he has been very poor this year. Hall has not had his best year, but he deserves his place in the team – he is a big game player and is proven at the highest level – I would have Jermaine McGilivary on the other wing with Tomkins at full back and Hardcastle in the CENTRE.
Luke Gale would play scrum half in my team but McNamara will select Matty Smith.
Predicting England's Baskerville squad