NEVILLE Costigan has epitomised the spirit Hull KR need to finish the season with if they're to reach the play-offs.
The PNG international has been battered from pillar to post in his first season at the Robins, but he has always come back for more.
A head injury could have ended his game at Leeds last month early, but he returned to come close to scoring a second try that would have set up an exciting finish.
With five games to play, Costigan is asking his team-mates to put their bodies on the line to make the play-offs.
"I'm lucky because I've got a coconut head," he told the Mail.
"I'm feeling pretty good, though, and I've been lucky at times with my injuries.
"I try and get past it and do my best for the team in every game. This is a good group of players and I don't want to let them down.
"When I do get a knock, I try to forget about it and carry on.
"I said to Leeds hooker Paul Aiton that I always get a head knock when I play at Leeds, because I got another head knock playing there in the World Cup.
"That's the spirit we need to show between now and the end of the season. It's not going to be easy because we have a tough run-in.
"When we do play we have to put out bodies on the line for those around us in the changing room."
Costigan admits he treats every game like it is a State of Origin match. The 29-year-old helped Queensland to victory over New South Wales in 2007, 2009 and 2010.
He will treat tomorrow's clash at Widnes the same way, hoping it helps Rovers claim the two points which will take them a step closer to the knockout phases.
"You can compare this to State of Origin in the sense that mentally you know it's a big game," he added.
"The hype surrounding the Origin games gets you pumped up automatically.
"It's not difficult preparing for those big games because the crowd play their part.
"I try and keep calm and think about my role in the game. I try and do that every week and not worry about the fancy stuff."
Costigan is no stranger to do-or-die matches and describes tomorrow's game as that. Results have gone KR's way in recent weeks to keep alive their play-off hopes, and Costigan wants his side to take advantage.
"Widnes is a do-or-die game for us," admitted Costigan.
"Every game from now is a play-off game for us. We can't sit back and wait on other results. We have to do our best, especially on their turf.
"We can't worry about other results going our way but we can control our own destiny."
Victory tomorrow should see Costigan and the rest of the players given next weekend off as the Challenge Cup semi-finals take centre stage.
But first, they have to take care of business tomorrow against the fancied Vikings.
"We could do with a few days off because it has been a long season," Costigan said.
"If we win, we'll be in the top eight and we can come back to training after next weekend ready to keep going for the play-offs."
