Despite the scoreline, I don't think yesterday's performance was that bad; yes, there was a lack of cohesion at times (particulary with the halves and Newton) however given the disruption we had with injuries and the lack of meaningful preparation I didn't think this was too bad a performance.
I think people have a tendency to underestimate the impact that the cancelled friendly and league game had on our preparataion, and this will have been compounded by the lack of outdoor training caused by the recent bad weather.

The pack today were excellent, and completely dominatated a pretty good opposition pack. There's not many teams that will completely contain a set of fowards containing Fozzard, Vella, Newton and Galea. I lost count the number of times that the Hull KR players were completely smashed and driven back several yards.

From my point of view, this performance was very similar to Leeds' opening game against Celtic.... the difference being that we didn't have the luxury of playing a fixture that had been scheduled by the RFL to aid our preparation for a later showpiece game (against a team newly promoted to Super League.)

A few tactical changes by McNamara, a bit more cohesion, and I think this will be a fairly successful season.

Last thing to note; Scruton should have been MoM... his performance yesterday was immense! Leeds loss is definitely our gain.

Agree 100% with the above.

I was happy with a point with ten minutes left with the scores at 12-12 and as I read League Express this morning, Im still happy with a point.

I agree that Scruton should have been MoM. Apart from the mistake which lead to the Hull KR 2nd try he had a top game.

My big worry is that some of the squad look very confused at what Deacs,Jefferies,Newts and Wagga is going to do? Maybe because it was the 1st game i dunno but there was nobody running onto the ball and we were very flat during most of the game. I think Jefferies played very poorly yesterday but we dont really have much of a choice than play him.

My player ratings

Platt: Go forward for god sake! 6
Sherrife: Looked fairly dangerous and Quick 7
Sykes : Should be FB 7
Nero : Has a lot to proove after a poor last season 6
Tadulala : Didnt really get the Ball 6
Jefferies : Poor. Dropped the ball and couldnt pass 5
Deacon : Fairly solid performance 7
Burgess : Still looked a little unfit but solid as usual 8
Newton : Ok but lacked a bit of creativity 7
Scruton : MOM. Provided hits and took ball forward 9
Morrison : Same as sam, looked a little unfit 7
Beaver : Class player when he settles in 7
Langley : So unlucky with Injuries 6

Wagga: Same as Newton, Creativity needed 6
Solomona : Cut out losses and get rid! 5
Cook: Still unsure whether he warrants a place 6
Kopckak: Good performance when used 7

Can't see many posts on here about yesterdays game that aren't criticising some part of it / some player / some play.

Given that AP doesn't seem to be around and the 10 game thing fell by the wayside, how about trying a like for like critique for the next 9 game. Every negative being isn't partnered with a positive

We will see how it all pans out in the coming weeks. However, i cannot comment on any positives until i see them in the flesh.

Hope you haven't hurt your neck there Luke predicting Bulls to finish in the top 3 maybe!!!

Very brave of you to come off the fence and make such a prediction.

I am going to put my reputation on the line and say Rover will finish bottom of the league, but they might not!!

I thought it was very hard fought competetive game yesterday. In hindsight a draw was propbably about a fair result, Bulls kept possession well (without threatening too much) and KR defended solidly.

Looking at Bulls as an outsider I thought generally you looked pretty good, us not to punching a hole through a a line with Vella, fozz and makka hitting it wont happen too often and it showed when Morgan decided to give up on that and to go with one prop for a lot of the 2nd half.

Menzies looks a top player as did scruton and morrison,

Newton and Deacon were dissappointing and lacked a bit of match readiness but I'm certain that will come for you and I think you'll be top 4 this year.

I'm glad we got that fixture out of the way and wouldn;t fancy it when you're up to speed

We've just got a small matter of Leeds on Friday so lets hope we can hold the ball a bit more and a if we defend like yesterday we may be able to show a few that we are a team to be reckoned with.

nearly a great result. but alot better than when i first heard that blls*** had won 13-12

Thought your forwards dominated but they were let down by the backs, not enough creativity on the back of some very good go-forward.

What in the 4 minutes he was on the pitch?

I didn't go yesterday but from reading the postings on here there are a lot of contradictory reports of how the game played out. The main one being that many on here are negative (like I say, wasn't there, they could be right) but a lot of the Hull KR fans thought we played well.

Looks like the lack of meaningful friendlies may have hurt though. Cohesion will come with game time.

I do miss AP waxing lyrical on Nero though

Your forwards certainly did!

Why it didn't last year.

So, you're saying the forwards laid a platform......?

I deleted a line about me feeling the same way last year and it not happening but I invoked the 10 game positivity rule

Like I say not seen them yet

Good Lad!

So that's some one who didn't see the game clapping some who didn't see the game interesting.

I have no willpower. Cannae kick the fags either.

Don't you go getting ME going . . . .



I thought you [iliked [/ihim (in a blokey way)





I can assure you it was far more painful listening to Bill and Ben on BCB than it was "enduring" the game in person

Amended for comedy effect alone . . .

What the the top class commentating duo.

Blasphemy! Those guys rock!

Hey! I don't mind. Not watching rugby league games is the new black.

They are probably really nice blokes . . . it just that one minute your defending your own line. They go off on one talking about Sol's "magic hands" and then it's "and Semi has scored" . . .

. . .WTF happened in between.

In fairness, they do cover the whole game without wandering off to others like Radio Leeds do.

I do have a choice and I choose BCB