2022 Season Review: Hull KR

16 Dec 2022

To describe Hull KR's 2022 Betfred Super League season as eventful wouldn't even be scratching the surface.

The campaign started with high hopes that Tony Smith's side could emulate 2021's top six heroics, ambition that looked well placed when a sixth straight win in all competitions against Wakefield in April saw them in fifth.

The Robins had also cemented a place in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals at that stage, with an Elland Road clash against Huddersfield just two weeks ahead.

But that win over Trinity was the first game after coach Smith had stunned club officials by announcing that he would leave the club at the end of the season during his regular midweek press conference.

"I won't be coaching here beyond the end of this year," Smith told the assembled media. "I'm going to step aside and hand it on to the next person to pick up. It's the best thing for the organisation.

"I've enjoyed coaching this special group of players and I love the support I've been given here by all of the supporters, it's been great. I haven't been able to have the influence I'd like in the entire organisation and sometimes that happens within organisations.

"Not everyone is best friends and some people operate better without other people around and I'm hoping that's the case. It's not healthy for the club and it's not healthy for me either."

Job done ?#SuperLeague #SLHKRWak pic.twitter.com/DOb0SzcQJV
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 23, 2022

Though Hull KR would ease past Wakefield just three days later, the news signalled a remarkable shift in their fortunes.

They lost 25-4 in the Huddersfield cup clash and would win just once in nine matches in total.

During that period former Wigan scrum-half Willie Peters was confirmed as the man who would take over from Smith, but it had become clear that an early parting of the ways was a possibility, and on July 4 the club announced that it had "stood down" the experienced Australian immediately, with Danny McGuire taking charge for the rest of the campaign.

It came after a 28-6 defeat at bottom club Toulouse, after which Smith said he would take "full responsibility" for that particular performance.

Leeds Rhinos legend McGuire had a baptism of fire in a narrow Magic Weekend loss against Hull FC, before he then oversaw three wins from four, raising hopes of a late Play-Offs charge.

Pinpoint ?@hullkrofficial take the lead at Warrington ?#SuperLeague #SLWarHKR pic.twitter.com/iy3ZfDhva9
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 22, 2022

But three defeats in a row scuppered that, although McGuire ensured the year finished on a high despite an increasingly crippling injury list, with victory over depleted Wigan and then derby redemption at the MKM Stadium, despite not being able to name a full team for the latter.

"People thought we were playing mind games with 16, but it was legitimate," McGuire said afterwards. "We could have named younger blokes on the bench, but that wasn't the right thing to do. We have had setbacks all year, and we thought naming 16 was the right thing.

"We played with intent, and the attitude and determination have been clear to see all year."

Among other positives for McGuire - who will revert back to assistant under Peters from 2023 - were the performances of a host of seasoned professionals over the course of the season and the emergence of a crop of talented youngsters.

In the first category, winger Ryan Hall pushed his name back into England contention with performances full of industry and damaging runs, while hookers Matt Parcell and Jez Litten were excellent throughout.

George King was a constant source of strength and consistency in the middle of the field, and Mikey Lewis earned a Young Player of the Year nomination after showing more evidence of his considerable ability.

Back rower Frankie Halton looked every inch a Super League player after stepping up from the Championship, while the pick of the whole squad was evergreen captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall, whose outstanding performances out wide earned him a place in the Dream Team.

Frankie Halton in 2022 ?

Impressive first season in #SuperLeague with @hullkrofficial ? pic.twitter.com/jebGP6i1Zj
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 8, 2022

Among the new youngsters, Will Tate, Zach Fishwick and Phoenix Laulu-Togaga'e all displayed first team qualities, giving Peters a solid platform to work with once he takes the reins at the Robins.

"I can't wait to get started with him, and we both want to hit the ground running," McGuire added.

Key man

Shaun Kenny-Dowall was the only player outside Super League's top six to be named in the Dream Team after an outstanding season with Hull KR. The veteran New Zealand international led by example from centre, producing the kind of performances that inspired those around him. Now 34, Kenny-Dowall is enjoying a superb final chapter to what has been a superb career.

DESERVED. ?

SKD has been selected for @SuperLeague's 2022 Dream Team ???#UpTheRobins ??? pic.twitter.com/GKefKFQmmg
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) September 4, 2022

Rising star

Such was the impact of 17-year-old prop Zach Fishwick when he was thrust into first team action this year, that he was handed a new four-year contract. The teenager - who looks and plays well beyond his years - made his debut against Hull FC at St James' Park and finished with seven Super League appearances. "Zach is a talent who has bright future in front of him providing he works hard," incoming coach Willie Peters said.

Season highlight

It wasn't the best performance of the season by any stretch of the imagination, but when Hull KR won 28-24 at Toulouse on Easter Monday, everything at the club looked rosy. They had a highly-anticipated Challenge Cup semi-final to look forward to, were up to fifth in Super League and had a coach the fans loved in Tony Smith at the helm. Just days later Smith would announce his planned departure, and the 2022 campaign never had the same level of hope and expectation.