Tony Smith defends Hull KR players after hammering at Leeds

Drew Darbyshire

Hull KR coach Tony Smith stuck up for his players after they were battered 52-10 at Leeds.

The Robins started the game poorly as they fell 18-0 behind early on. They never recovered as the Rhinos ran in nine tries to seal an impressive 52-10 victory at Headingley.

Smith said: “They were certainly sharper than us. I thought they created some of their own luck, particularly in the first half.

“After that, we were not good enough in some areas and they certainly took advantage of that.

“I’m not going to kick my boys too much, they are still trying hard.

“We had a couple of really big efforts in the last two weeks. We’re going to have that occasion when it’s going to flatten out for us and that was the case tonight.

“It’s a tough one for us but I don’t want my boys to lose their spirit or character.

“We just need to re-group and make sure we fight again next week, but with a few more smarts.”


More on site

Catalans not expecting Israel Folau protests

The RL diet: Jack Hughes on game day meals and his guilty pleasure

Ian Watson frustrated with refereeing decisions in Salford’s defeat to Huddersfield

Huddersfield’s forward pack is as good as any in Super League, says Simon Woolford

Richard Agar pleased with Leeds response