Fox eyes Grand Final glory for Robins
Hull Kingston Rovers star Peter Fox is hoping to use his experience of playing on the wing for England in last year’s Gillette Four Nations Final to help the Robins go bob-bobbing all the way into the 2010 Engage Super League Grand Final.
Fox was one of the undoubted stars of the 2009 Four Nations after an impressive season which ended with Rovers clinching a best-ever fourth-place finish in Engage Super League.
However the 25-year-old is not resting on his laurels and even though he expects the competition to be even fiercer this season, Fox feels Hull KR have what it takes to reach the Engage Super League title decider at Old Trafford on Saturday October 2.
“We proved we were top-four material last year but we fell short in the play-offs and that’s what we were really disappointed about,” said Fox.
“This year we’ve got to improve on that and be a bit more competitive in the play-offs. Who knows, we could get to a final.
“I think we’re in good shape, we’ve had a really good pre-season and some of the players that came in like Matt Cooke and Mike Ratu have introduced youth and enthusiasm into the squad. I think they’ll come on really well and we’ll be up there this year.”
Fox was one of four Rovers players in the prestigious 2009 Engage Super League Dream Team and is aiming to better his haul of 18 tries in this year’s competition, when he believes Rovers’ pre-season recruitment programme has produced a more exciting squad at Craven Park.
“It’s always nice to get awards like the Dream Team, to represent my country is an honour and for me the Four Nations final was a great experience,” he said.
“I’ve got to take that and put it into this season and build on my performances of last year and make them even better this year. Hopefully I’ll come out a better player.
“You’ve got to keep improving year in, year out and you’re always under pressure with young lads coming through. I’ve got to hold on to my spot at Hull KR and hopefully get another shot at England.”
Fox is impressed by the quality of recruitment elsewhere in Engage Super League, not least at the KC Stadium where he expects Rovers’ arch-rivals Hull FC to be in contention for honours in 2010.
“I think all the teams have signed really well,” he said. “You look at Hull on the other side of the river, they’ve strengthened really well and they’ll be up there this year.
“Anyone can beat anyone and that’s the beauty of Super League. Hopefully we’ll have a different Grand Final winner this year.”
Hull KR host Salford City Reds at Craven Park next Sunday (3.00) in their first game of the 2010 Engage Super League season. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hullkr.co.uk or from the Hull KR Ticket Office on 0844 249 0105.
