Morgan wants more from Hull KR
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan is hoping lightning will strike twice when the Robins head to DW Stadium for an Engage Super League Elimination Semi-final against Wigan Warriors on Friday night (8.00).
Six days after Rovers completed a thumping play-off victory over Hull FC to avenge two defeats by their biggest rivals this summer, Morgan is urging his players to rise to the challenge of beating the only other side to have completed an Engage Super League double over them in 2010.
“It was very satisfying to beat Hull FC,” said Morgan. “Obviously they’d beaten us twice throughout the season but we won when it mattered. There was a huge amount of pressure leading into the match and it was a sudden death game.
“Wigan are the only other team that we haven’t taken any points from this year, we played them not that long ago at Craven Park and got ourselves in a position to win but unfortunately we couldn’t execute the victory.
“But the triumph over Hull FC has certainly re-stoked the confidence and while Wigan have been the most consistent all year, we’re quietly confident that we can lift ourselves and get the result.”
The victory over Hull FC was the Robins’ first ever win in the play-offs and with the burden of pressure lifted from the shoulders of his players, Morgan told SLTV that he was confident his side can push on and progress through what has already been an entertaining play-off series.
“We hadn’t won a play-off game before and that’s a huge amount of pressure for a team to carry,” said Morgan. “I’m very proud of the way the players handled that during the week and more importantly how they handled it on the day. We adapted to the conditions quite well and were very dominant from the first whistle.
“I think it gives the team a confidence boost and it gives us a chance to get one step closer to Old Trafford. Last week was a big occasion for everybody and this week has been as much about refreshing the mind as the body.
“The play-offs are fantastic to be involved in and they’re great games. The first weekend tossed up some excellent encounters so hopefully week two can do the same but we know that if we want to be involved after Friday, we have to make sure that we bring to the Wigan game what we brought last weekend and a little bit more if we’re going to win.”
Victory on Friday would see Hull Kingston Rovers join Warrington Wolves or Huddersfield Giants as one of the clubs who could be selected by St Helens at the Club Call announcement on Sunday September 19.