‘When it rains, it pours’ – Hull KR’s injury crisis continues as McGuire jokes about comeback
Hull KR interim boss Danny McGuire joked that he’s close to putting the boots back on as his side suffered more injuries in their defeat to Wigan.
The Robins fell to a 46-4 defeat at the DW Stadium but that was the least of their worries with several more players sustaining injuries.
They had already travelled without a large number of first team players available – including captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall, winger Ryan Hall and half-back Mikey Lewis.
Lachlan Coote failed a head injury assessment in the first half, while McGuire all but confirmed that Will Dagger’s season is over with a ruptured achilles.
Injuries to Connor Moore and Charlie Cavanaugh late on saw McGuire opt to finish the game with 12-men, with substitutes still available.
Speaking about the club’s injury crisis, McGuire admitted that he had to laugh his way through it – more likely in disbelief – otherwise he’d find himself crying.
“I honestly don’t know what to say about it to be honest,” McGuire said.
“If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. I’m trying my best to remain as positive as possible. We got beat by 40 points in the end, but what I was proud of is that they were still scrapping away at the end there.
“I thought after that we’ve got some guts and some steel about us. We try hard. We haven’t got the best players in the competition but we have a team of players that want to play well for each other.
“I’m lucky to be in charge of that at the minute and I’m really proud of them.”
McGuire confirms fresh injuries
Confirming new injuries, McGuire continued: “Lachlan Coote will miss next week with a failed head injury. Will Dagger has ruptured his achilles. I’m not far off playing. It’s too late to get registered, so I’m saying this now knowing that I can’t play!
“Our young prop Connor Moore was on for two minutes then off again. I wouldn’t put George King back on so we played with 12 for the last 10 minutes.
“Charlie Cavanaugh got injured in the end there. He tried his heart out and has dislocated his knee cap. When it rains, it pours.
“Paul Rowley [Salford coach] sent me a really nice message as he’s been struggling to put a team out the last couple of weeks. We’re not the only ones. I don’t want people to feel sorry for us. We’re probably just doing it a bit harder.”
McGuire did admit that he’s hoping to welcome back several key players for their home clash with Toulouse next Thursday.
Kenny-Dowall, Frankie Halton, Albert Vete and Jimmy Keinhorst could all return. Korbin Sims will also be back from his suspension.
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app and podcast