Hull KR are back on top in the key area!
Reigning champions Hull KR currently have the best defensive record in Super League.
Former Salford and Wales head coach turned leading rugby league agent, Iestyn Harris, believes Hull KR’s defensive prowess is unmatched in Super League, with the Robins continuing to set the standard.
Willie Peters’ Rovers recently secured their return to Wembley after defeating Warrington Wolves, and will defend their Challenge Cup title against Wigan Warriors on Saturday, May 30.
Hull KR conceded just 12 points to Sam Burgess’ side, taking their tally to only 56 points during a current seven-game winning streak across all competitions.
That equates to an average of eight points conceded per game and gives them the best defensive record in Super League after 10 rounds, despite a difficult start to the campaign that included shipping 58 points in Las Vegas.
Speaking on the latest All Out Rugby League Back Ten episode, Harris said Hull KR are unmatched in their defensive attitude in what has helped them dominate the rugby league scene across the last 12 months.
“Willie Peters has said that the big games are won by your defence – you can see that whenever they go into a crunch game, they’re physically and mentally on,” Harris said.
“They’re very difficult to beat, because they put you into horrible places – the kicking game right into the corner, and before you know it, you’re on tackle four or five and having to kick back out again.
“The way they’re defending, and the aggression in their defence is probably not matched by anyone in the league. I think there’s some teams that are pretty close, but they’re certainly out there on their own.”
Super League legend Danny McGuire also praised Tyrone May, insisting the half-back is enjoying the best form of his Super League career and playing a major role in Hull KR’s resurgence, which has seen them climb to fourth in the table.
May, 29, sits second on the Super League try-assists leaderboard behind Jackson Hastings and was recently ranked third in the early Man of Steel standings, decided by a panel including Ellery Hanley, Paul Sculthorpe, Sam Tomkins, James Roby and Joe Lydon.
“He’s in the best form I’ve seen since he’s been in Super League,” the Leeds Rhinos icon said.
“I think he’s a bit of a maverick player – he likes to have the ball in his hands, he’s very unpredictable and that partnership with Mikey Lewis is growing.
“I think he’s been one of the best players in the competition this year. He goes about his business, and I like to see him run. He’s a threat with the ball in hand, but the combination with Mikey is growing and looks pretty formidable.”