Tony Smith confirms duo ruled out of Hull KR’s Challenge Cup semi-final

Hull KR coach Tony Smith has confirmed that duo Lachlan Coote and Sam Wood will not be available for their Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield on Saturday.

There had been some confusion over Coote’s situation after comments made by Smith after last Friday’s defeat at Leeds.

But speaking at the pre-match press conference at Elland Road on Tuesday, Smith confirmed that Scotland international Coote failed his HIA in their loss at Headingley. The 11-day return-to-play protocol means Coote will be unavailable for Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield.

Smith said: “He won’t be available.

“I haven’t selected a team and I’m not going to go through everybody but he failed his test.

“He’s fine now, he’s trained with us today but they are the rules and for the protection of our players so I’m all for it but it makes him unavailable for the game.”

The Hull KR head coach says they have a number of options to fill the void at full-back left by Coote. Will Dagger and Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e are the obvious choices, whilst Ben Crooks, Ethan Ryan and Brad Takairangi could also play there.

Tony Smith confirms Sam Wood injury blow

Sam Wood also left the action early last weekend with a knee injury. The towering centre or winger also won’t feature at Elland Road this weekend.

Smith added: “He’ll be out. He’s having a scan today so we’ll wait to get the results on that. The early prognosis was that it wasn’t as bad as first feared.”

Smith says hooker Matt Parcell and forward Matty Storton are in contention to face the Giants despite picking up knocks at Leeds.

Hull KR take on Huddersfield in the final game of the Challenge Cup triple-header at Leeds United’s Elland Road on Saturday, 5pm kick-off.

The Women’s Challenge Cup final kicks off proceedings at 12pm, with Wigan facing Cup holders St Helens in the Men’s semi-finals at 2:30pm.

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