Stevo explains the Hull KR risk that ‘could well go against them’ as he predicts Leigh Leopards Challenge Cup victory
Stevo has predicted a Challenge Cup final victory for Leigh Leopards.
Former Sky Sports iconic rugby league commentator Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson believes Hull KR’s decision to rest players against Wigan may risk their chances of lifting the Challenge Cup trophy.
Head coach Willie Peters named a youthful side for the Super League Round 21 clash as only two players remained in the Rovers starting line-up from the side that secured their place in the final in a dramatic golden point Challenge Cup semi-final at Headingley Stadium over the Warriors.
The Robins had three loanees feature at the DW Stadium in Catalans’ Cesar Rouge, Wakefield prop Isaac Shaw and Warrington forward Luke Thomas, while academy player Louix Gorman was handed a starting place against Matt Peet’s side.
Wigan claimed an emphatic 64-6 victory, with Jack Walker scoring Hull KR’s only try of the fixture, while Abbas Miski enjoyed four and Jai Field crossed for a hat-trick.
It was a risk taken by head coach Peters ahead of the Challenge Cup showdown with Leigh, although the side remain just inside the play-offs in sixth position on the Super League table with the likes of Huddersfield, Hull and Salford fighting for a spot inside the top six.
Stevo, who hung up the microphone in 2016, believes that risk may go against the side, with Leigh Leopards having named a strong squad for last week’s clash against Leeds Rhinos.
Only the likes of Josh Charnley and Zak Hardaker missed the game at Headingley Stadium as Adrian Lam’s side secured a 13-6 victory with Edwin Ipape and Tom Amone crossing.
Stevo predicts Leigh victory in Challenge Cup final
Speaking on the latest episode of his shared podcast with Eddie Hemmings, Stevo predicted Adrian Lam’s side to lift the prestigious Challenge Cup on Saturday with thanks to last week’s decision to name a strong squad against the Rhinos.
The two sides meet at Wembley Stadium on Saturday with a 3:00pm kick off, live on BBC One.
“I favour the Leigh Leopards, which will excite all the fans of Hull Kingston Rovers and disappoint all the fans in Leigh, Stevo joked.
“I think when you play the week before and you still have that team spirit, that coordination, it’s easier to do that.
“I’m not so sure about having a team that has not played contact football, most of them [Hull KR] have not played contact football for a fortnight.
“That could well go against them.”