SL Preview: Hull KR’s objective is to avoid the drop
Hull Kingston Rovers are back in the Betfred Super League this year and their sole aim for this year will be to avoid relegation.
The Robins were relegated from the top-flight in 2016 after losing to Salford Red Devils in the Million Pound Game.
But they bounced back and were promoted back to Super League at the first time of asking under former Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens.
And they have pulled off a major coup in signing Leeds Rhinos veteran Danny McGuire.
A Super League Grand Final winner with Leeds in 2017, McGuire is under no illusions of how difficult this season will be for the Robins but is up for the challenge.
He told loverugbyleague.com: “We want to do well and we want to be challenging every week and we want to be a consistent team that performs well every week.
“But it’s going to be tough. Historically, the team that gets promoted does it tough but I don’t think there is any reason why we can’t shock a few people this year and have some real positive results.”
With Hull KR being back in the Betfred Super League, it means the Hull derby is back against rivals Hull FC.
And McGuire said he is excited to play more of them after playing in the annual pre-season friendly derby.
He added: “I played in the friendly and that was decent and it was intense for a friendly! I really enjoyed it.
“It will probably go ten-fold in the real game and it is something that I’m looking forward to.”
It’s safe to say that 2018 is going to be one hell of a ride for the Robins, with their main aim just being to remain a Super League club in 2019.
Head Coach: Tim Sheens
Assistant Coach: David Hodgson & James Webster
Captain: Shaun Lunt
Key Man: Danny McGuire
One to Watch: Thomas Minns
Ins: Will Dagger (Warrington Wolves), Connor Williams (Salford Red Devils), Jordan Walne (Salford Red Devils), Thibault Franck (Catalans Dragons), Tommy Lee (St Helens), Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos)
Outs: Jake Butler-Fleming (York City Knights), Mitch Clark (Castleford Tigers), Will Jubb (York City Knights), Zach Dockar-Clay (Townsville Blackhawks), Ben Cockayne (York City Knights), Graeme Horne (York City Knights)
Squad: 1 Adam Quinlan, 3 Thomas Minns, 4 Andrew Heffernan, 5 Ryan Shaw, 7 Danny McGuire, 8 Nick Scruton, 9 Shaun Lunt, 10 Mose Masoe, 11 Maurice Blair, 12 James Greenwood, 13 Ben Kavanagh, 14 Lee Jewitt, 15 James Donaldson, 16 Danny Addy, 17 Chris Clarkson, 18 George Lawler, 19 Tommy Lee, 20 Matty Marsh, 21 Robbie Mulhern, 22 Liam Salter, 23 Josh Johnson, 24 Chris Atkin, 25 Kieren Moss, 26 Joe Wardill, 27 Will Oakes, 28 Will Dagger, 29 Jordan Walne, 30 Joe Cator, 31 Brad Clavering, 32 Connor Williams, 33 Thibault Franck, 36 Justin Carney.
Prediction: 11th
