WITH the Challenge Cup semis comfortably achieved, Hull KR coach Willie Peters has given the star player of his next opponents a significant compliment.
The world champions travel to Stade Ernest Wallon on Friday to meet Toulouse and Peters says their mercurial fullback Olly Ashall-Bott has been mentioned more than once in preparations.
“He’s a good player, there’s no doubt, said Peters, whose men eliminated York 48-10 on the weekend.
“He’s been a good player for a while now. He’s been over at Toulouse for a while. I think he had a injury a couple of years ago now and overcame that and is at the top of his game now
“We have to make sure that we’re on, similar to Jai Field or someone like that because he’s capable of doing exactly why Jai does to teams which he’s doing at the moment.
“We need to make sure we keep moving. There’s a plan around him. We just need to execute that.”
The Robins will fly in and out on the day with hopes high that Dean Hadley (eye) and Elliot Minchella (hamstring) will be fit
On Saturday, halfback Tyrone May posted a hat-trick as the holders cruised to victory at Sewell Group Craven Park
The Knights were dramatically below strength – opposite May was converted hooker Paul McShane – and were never really at the races as the Robins opened with two quick tries and led 24-6 at halftime.
It’s uncertain whether lock Rhyse Martin will resume the goalkicking duties this week after suffering a groin injury.
“We’ll have to see what he’s like when he kicks,” said Peters.
York, meanwhile, host Leigh – also on Friday. “It’s no secret our defence is nowhere near where we want it to be,” said coach Mark Applegarth, who also confirmed the loan signing of Ben Littlewood from Leeds.
Centre Sam Wood is expected to return to the Knights fold from injury this week.
HULL KR 48 (May 3 Sue Broadbent Whitbread Lewis Burgess tries Martin 4 Lewis 3 Litten goals) beat YORK 10 (Va’a Harrison tries Harrison goal) at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Teams:
KR: Jack Broadbent; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildardt, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Tom Amone, Rhyse Martin, Rhyse Martin, James Batchelor, Dean Hadley. Res: Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Brown, Karl Lawton.
YORK: Nikau Williams; Myles Harrison, Joe Law, Kieran Buchanan, Scott Galeano; Ata Hingano, Paul McShane; Xavier Va’a, Denive Balmforth, Paul Vaughan, Oli Field, Jesse Dee (c), Josh Griffin. Res: Jack Martin, Justin Sangare, Sam Cook, Jack Smith.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.
