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Paul Cooke: Hull KR must learn lesson from clinical Leeds Rhinos

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HULL KR must learn a lesson from their loss to Leeds last weekend and produce a fully focused display at Castleford on Sunday.

The scoreline last weekend didn't reflect the efforts of the KR players, as for large parts of the first half, Rovers matched the defending champions.

However, when it came to the crunch, Leeds were absolutely ruthless in taking their opportunities.

Leeds are efficient, and have learnt over a number of years to stay patient and keep asking questions of the opposition defence.

When even a half chance is presented to them, more often than not, they turn it into four points, then Kevin Sinfield makes it six.

Now, I'm not saying KR's inexperienced players can match that, but they can look at what Leeds do so well and try to bring those disciplines into their game.

Having endured a torrid fixture list in April, a trip to a team below them in the table is welcomed by all by KR, I'm sure.

But Rovers have to show that same professionalism as Leeds did when coming to KR last week.

Rovers will enter the game as favourites, in my opinion, but nothing short of a good performance and a win will be acceptable after a tough month of rugby against three of the current top four teams in Super League.

Castleford are a wounded team at the minute, though, and how many times in sport do we see a team which seems decimated from the outside, because of off-field goings on, see their players find another gear and performances and results which defy logic.

Rovers coach Craig Sandercock must be aware of the Castleford mentality, and he has to make sure that Leeds model is followed, by his side matching their hosts in terms of enthusiasm, attitude and commitment.

They are all words which should be a given in professional sport, but when the chips are down, it is often the team struggling which somehow manages to find a way to win these areas.

Should KR start the game well, get into the arm wrestle with Castleford as Leeds did at KR, and be prepared to grind out a win, then I see the red and whites winning by 10 points.

However, should KR turn up a little soft mentally, take a few shortcuts expecting someone else on their team to pull them through, then Rangi Chase and co are very capable of posting points, and in quick succession, leaving KR with too big a task to claw back.

Chase, of course, is the main man to watch.

You only have to have seen last weekend's game where Chase had a hand or foot in every single try posted by the Tigers.

Closing him down, taking his space, thinking time and execution time off him will make Sunday afternoon much easier than if they allow him to dictate.

I'm sure that has been discussed at training this week, but it is much easier said than done.

Paul Cooke: Hull KR must learn lesson from clinical Leeds Rhinos


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