Hull KR's Paea ready to lead the way in Magic Weekend derby battle

HULL KR prop Mickey Paea is determined to take the battle to Hull when the two sides meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Paea has been one of Rovers most consistent players this season, and his impressive opening spell against Wakefield last weekend set the tone for the Robins' 44-18 success.

With experienced props Evarn Tuimavave and Ryan O'Hara sidelined because of injury, Paea knows his role in the team has taken on even greater importance.

But despite continuing uncertainty over his future, given he is yet to commit to a new deal offered by the club, Paea says he can be relied upon to take the game to the Black and Whites.

"I'm the kind of bloke who puts pressure on himself to go out and lead from the front," Paea told the Mail.

"It's a big occasion in itself, and it's big for the city, so I'm sure we'll be up for it. We won't need much to motivate us for this game."

Paea admits Rovers face a tough challenge as they look to make it a derby double over Hull this year, particularly given Hull's upturn in form.

And he says it has been no coincidence that Peter Gentle's men have found their stride as three of their big-name players have returned from injury.

"Daniel Holdsworth, Shannon McDonnell and Gareth Ellis are back in for them, and that benefits them a lot," he said,

"Ellis is massive for them. He's played on the biggest stage and he's had a great career in the NRL and Super League too.

"I caught some of Hull's game at Warrington. They have been building well as a team for a while and they had a few players out for a while.

"Now they have some of them back and from what I've seen of them, they look like they are finding their straps."

Asked who enters the contest as favourites, Paea concedes that it has to be Rovers opponents.

"If you want to base it on the last few results then Hull would be favourites," he said.

"They have been a very consistent team but that doesn't matter too much in these games."