The Hull KR coach Chris Chester believes his side’s destiny is still in their own hands as they prepare for the biggest Hull derby in Super League history.
With two games remaining, ninth-placed KR are two points behind opponents Hull FC in eighth with a vastly inferior points difference, and defeat would virtually consign them to a battle to retain their top-flight status alongside the likes of the bottom club Wakefield Trinity and the top four clubs from the Championship in the middle eight play-offs – AKA the Qualifiers.
Even victory in both the 226th Hull derby on Friday and against the defending champions St Helens in their final game would still not completely guarantee Hull KR a top-eight finish, but Chester thinks two wins would be sufficient to get them into the Super 8s. “We’d like to be sitting a little more comfortably but it is what it is,” he said. “We want to be in the Super 8s – we’ve got to win the next two.
“Our goal at the start of the year was to finish in the top eight and I still think it’s in our hands. If we win the next two – which are two very tough games admittedly – we should be in the top eight.”
With the half-back Albert Kelly a major doubt for the game due to a knee injury, Chester could take a huge gamble and hand Matty Marsh just his second senior appearance, but he insisted he has no concerns over Marsh’s inexperience despite also having new signing Dane Chisholm available to deputise. “I’m not writing Albert Kelly off just yet, but if he doesn’t pull through Matty and Bobby [Maurice Blair] will play.
“He’s been going very well on dual-registration at Newcastle and deserves an opportunity. I’ve told Dane there’s no guarantees and made it clear that if Matty plays well he will keep the shirt. I’m confident in Matty – he’s a good kid, level-headed and got a good footballing brain – so if Albert doesn’t pull through, then Matty will fit straight in there.”
As well as Marsh, the Australian prop Dane Tilse will also get his first taste of a Hull derby on Friday and he says he is champing at the bit to experience it having watched on from the stands during the previous meeting between the sides at Magic Weekend in Newcastle, which Hull won 46-20.
“There’s a fair bit of dislike among the fans, that’s for sure,” said Tilse. “They certainly let you know. There’s a lot on the line and I’m looking forward to the big game atmosphere on Friday. I watched the derby at Magic Weekend and saw it all – the sea of fans, the singing and the atmosphere. I can’t wait to get out there and help the boys out.”
