Hull KR duo sidelined as Tevita Pangai Jr verdict delivered following suspension

Hull KR will be without both Sauaso ‘Jesse’ Sue and Oliver Gildart as they host Catalans Dragons on Thursday night, but both could return as soon as next week.

Reigning Super League champions KR are preparing to play three games in just nine days – with their Round 2 clash at home against Warrington Wolves having to be re-arranged due to their involvement in the World Club Challenge.

Rovers, of course, won that World Club Challenge against NRL kings Brisbane Broncos back in February: but then also went on to reach the Challenge Cup final, with the knock-on effect of those two events meaning their Round 2 game against Wire will take place in midweek.

That game will come next Tuesday night (August 18), but before then, Willie Peters’ side welcome French outfit Catalans – when they will be without prop Sue and centre Gildart.

Hull KR duo sidelined

The pair were withdrawn at half-time as KR won 44-0 at Castleford Tigers on Friday night, taking a step towards cementing their play-off spot.

But the news on both is not bad, with the pair potentially able to return against Warrington next Tuesday night.

In Monday afternoon’s pre-match press conference looking ahead to the clash against Catalans, boss Peters explained: “Jesse and Oliver Gildart won’t play this week.

“Jesse just has an ongoing foot issue, he could play, but I think it’s best that he doesn’t.

“Ollie, hopefully it’s just one week (out with an ankle problem), but we’ve obviously got that midweek game against Warrington the week after, so we’re not sure.

“There’s no major fracture though, which is the main thing.”

Tevita Pangai Jr verdict delivered following suspension

As Catalans come to town on Thursday night, KR will have mid-season recruit Tevita Pangai Jr back available.

The front-rower played just three games after signing for Rovers before landing a whopping six-match ban for an eye gouge on Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor during a defeat at Headingley back in June.

Six-time Tonga international Pangai Jr now has plenty of wrongs to put right – and on Thursday night will come against Catalans having endured a dire season while wearing their colours last season, scoring four tries in 23 games for the Dragons.

Robins head coach Peters said: “It’ll be great (to have him back). I’ve spoken a number of times now about what he’s done during his time off.

“He’s done everything he can to get himself in great shape, so hopefully going forward, we see the best of Tevita and his team-mates see the best of him as well.

“If you keep doing something over and over, it becomes an issue because you don’t learn from things.

“I’m hopeful that Tevita has learned his lesson now, and all his focus and energy has been put into getting himself as fit as possible.

“It’s about playing now, doing it on the field and showing everyone what he’s capable of. I see now he’s in great shape and he’s ready to go.”