By JOHN DAVIDSON
HULL KR will face York in the opening game of the season, after requesting an “easier” opponent ahead of the World Club Challenge, but that doesn’t bother Knights coach Mark Applegarth.
Newly promoted York will host the Robins next Thursday at home, before they take on Brisbane Broncos a week later. Hull KR asked Super League for a promoted team in round one to help them prepare for the Broncos.
Applegarth isn’t fazed by his team being viewed by some as an easier game.
“Listen, you play every team twice in a season, don’t you?” he told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
“I think it’s a bit of a defeatist attitude if you’re already worrying about that sort of jazz. We’ve been banging the drum to be in Super League now ever since I came to the club.
“We feel we belong there. If we belong there, then it doesn’t matter who you play does it? We enjoy that challenge. Hull KR’s the standard bearers at the moment.
“I thought they had a fantastic year last year, I’m good mates with Willie (Peters), too. Speaking to Willie, I know he’s got a healthy respect for our team and we’ve got a healthy respect for Hull KR.
“We’re really looking forward to locking horns with them in round one. May the best team win on the day.”
Hull KR will meet Brisbane at a soldout MKM Stadium on February 19 with the crown of World Club Champions up for grabs.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, Hull KR will be looking to us as a stepping stone to Brisbane,” Applegarth said.
“We’ll be wanting to set our tone for the season by putting in a great performance against Hull KR.”
York have never played in Super League.
Applegarth says he and his players want to give the city a “team that their proud of every week”.
“I’d love to sit here and tell you a good season is going to be winning the treble, it would be a lovely season wouldn’t it?
“We just want to give the city of York a team that they’re proud to get behind every week. There’s going to be some fantastic highs this year and I’m sure there’s going to be a few gut punches that are going to hurt.
“I’m just looking forward to locking horns with the best teams in England and showing that York belong there.
“We want to be a Super League team for a long time to come and we’re really just relishing the challenge every week of showing what we can do.”
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