OVER the past fortnight it has been proved without doubt that any success Hull KR enjoy this season depends upon the availability and fitness of their senior stars.
Rovers went from beating Hull in the derby to a club-record loss against Wigan to then beating St Helens. There can't be a more frustrating side to watch in Super League.
It's no surprise that KR are a completely different side when their key players are available.
Skipper Michael Dobson and the ever-impressive Cory Paterson are without a doubt vital to the way Rovers play and attack.
For me, Paterson is proving the best overseas signing of 2013.
The big back rower has great handling skills to go with his good footwork and big right-arm fend, often breaking the line, finding an off-load or, at worst, a quick play of the ball for his team.
His combination with Dobson is bringing tries for himself and creating tries for others like Kris Welham and David Hodgson.
Hodgson was a very shrewd signing ahead of last season and is a complete professional.
He brings plenty of experience to the team on the wing, his positional play is solid and he is another senior player to the group. Most of all Hodgson is a born finisher, scoring plenty of tries.
Although most of his tries are walk-in efforts, that shows his ability to anticipate and be in the perfect position to score.
Yes, that Wigan loss was embarrassing for all, and Rovers should not have waved the white flag as they did, no matter how many senior players were missing.
But, on the positive side, the Red and Whites have now won five of their last seven games, and that should be remembered more than that record loss as the club looks ahead.
The win over Saints last weekend was impressive. I don't care who the visitors had missing, after losing to Wigan all that was important was a much-needed response and improvement. We saw both from Craig Sandercock's men, but having come through one difficult test of character, they now face another at the Huddersfield Giants this weekend.
Without question this will be a huge test of just where Hull KR are at the moment.
It's a far better game to judge them on than the Wigan one which so many have pointed to as an indication of Rovers being way behind.
There will be a few questions about Rovers answered against the Giants this Sunday.
Can they beat the teams above them to cement their own place in the top eight halfway through the season? Or will they fall by the wayside as in previous seasons?
We are still learning about this Rovers side and, because they are so unpredictable week to week, it is still hard to judge where they will finish come the end of the season.
