WHEN times are tough in Super League, a coach will look across his dressing room in search of leaders of men.
And at Hull KR this season, Craig Sandercock has been able to turn to his powerful prop Mickey Paea.
In the second and final year of his current contract, the Tongan international has lifted his game, establishing himself alongside captain Michael Dobson and Cory Paterson as one of Rovers' most admired figures.
His performances have caught the eye – bringing a well-deserved call-up to the Exiles squad to face England later this year.
They have also brought, somewhat worryingly for KR, interest from rival clubs, both in Super League, with Wigan and Hull understood to be monitoring his position, and back in the NRL.
Given the ongoing uncertainty over Rovers' position in 2014 as the club still needs new investment, Sandercock has found his hands tied.
But, full of admiration for Paea, who he describes as 'not only a great player, but also a fantastic person', the coach is hoping he will remain patient, and eventually sign a new deal when the club is in a position to make a full offer.
Asked if he would like Paea to stay into 2014 and beyond, Sandercock said: "Yes of course, he is one of our leaders. He is definitely someone the club will want to keep.
"Look, obviously there is a bit of adversity there for the players, but I can't commend them highly enough.
"They are professionals, they are in every day, they are listening and as a coach that is all we can ask for.
"I talk to the senior players and the others every day, we are in it together and so far we are doing okay.
"Mickey is doing really well. He is still learning a few things about the game and that is why he is taking his game to a new level this year.
"He worked on some things that we had identified to improve on really hard in the off-season, he is doing really well and he is a credit to the club."
They are words from the coach which will go down well when Paea sits down to discuss his future with his agent.
Admitting this week that he would like to stay with the Robins, he says having to step up and become one of the experienced heads has been a rewarding experience.
And with a host of potential future stars emerging through the youth ranks, he hopes he is having a positive influence on them.
"Being one of the leaders is something I didn't plan for, but as we lost experienced players last season it just happened," Paea told the Mail.
"I'm not that old, but when you look at me being one of the more experienced it gives an indication of how young this squad is. I'd like to think I can be a leader and I try to help out the younger guys in the squad.
"I am fairly happy with my performances, but I still have a lot to work on to try to find a level of consistency every week. I try to get the team on the front foot.
"There are a lot of talented young players here and, with the mix of experience we have, in a few years this club could be anywhere really."
Whilst the long term may be uncertain for Paea and the Robins, the short-term need is very clear.
He and his fellow forwards have to put KR on the front foot early on at Castleford tomorrow if the Robins are to get the win they need.
Although slumped at the bottom of Super League, Paea has warned that Rovers must play with the same intensity and desire as last weekend, when facing champions Leeds.
"These are the tougher games as it is easy to get up for the so-called bigger clubs, but against these clubs, especially when they are at home, these are the tough games," he said.
"We dropped one earlier in the year at Salford, and we probably should have beaten Wakefield. They are gone now, but Castleford at their place is never easy.
"For us it is about being consistent and trying to string a couple of wins together and find some form, especially the bigger games."
