Joel Tomkins: Our squad are playing for their livelihoods

Hull KR Captain Joel Tomkins insists that the club’s players are ‘playing for their livelihoods’ after a home defeat to Huddersfield left them two points above the relegation spot. 

In stark contrast to last weekend’s enthralling victory over Leeds at Headingley, the Robins and Giants both appeared cagey and nervous in the early stages.

KR did lead early on thanks to Kane Linnett’s third try in two games, but tries from Matty English and Alex Mellor, plus three goals from the boot of Darnell McIntosh, gave the Giants a 14-6 lead.

Craig Hall set up a grandstand finish with a try in the final 10 minutes, but Jermaine McGillvary’s score two minutes from time wrapped up a much-needed victory for Simon Woolford’s side.

Following the game, Tomkins admitted that his squad need to realise what is at stake if they are to stay in the division.

Tony Smith’s side are no stranger to relegation, having suffered the same fate following Gareth O’Brien’s dramatic drop-goal in the 2016 Million Pound Game.

Tomkins also stated that he will be keeping track of how the sides around them fare this weekend, with London hosting St Helens and Leeds taking on Hull FC in a Yorkshire Derby.

“We’ll be looking at the results no-doubt,” he told Hull KR TV. “I think, at this part of the season, it’s important that we do.

“We can’t shy away from the fact that we are where we are. I think it can be a motivator for us; we’re playing for our livelihoods now.

“There’s a lot of people who will lose their jobs if we get relegated and that’s the position that we’re in, so we’ve really got to switch on now.”

The Robins have over a week to prepare for their next game as they host play-off chasing Castleford at KCOM Craven Park on Sunday 4 August.