Shaun Kenny-Dowall believes Hull Kingston Rovers’ influx of new signings have set the club up for a serious tilt at the top six of Betfred Super League once more in 2023.
A spate of injuries and the departure of Tony Smith midway through last season saw Rovers struggle to have a say at the top end of the table after their semi-final appearance in ’21. But new coach Willie Peters comes in for Super League XXVIII with the benefit of new additions including former NRL stars Tom Opacic, Sauaso Sue and Rhys Kennedy.
And that extra quality in the squad gives captain Kenny-Dowall reason to believe that his fourth season in the red and white could be his best yet.
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“We’ve got some fresh faces and there’s a lot of enthusiasm and positivity around the camp, we can’t wait to get cracking,” Kenny-Dowall tells The Sportsman.
“We’ve made some great signings, probably got a lot more depth this year which is exciting, we had a lot of injuries last year but we’ve got a lot more cover this year and the guys we’ve brought in are quality. So they’re adding a lot to the squad and the training has been sound. We’re really looking forward to them showing what they can do for us this year.”
And Kenny-Dowall says that the appointment of Peters, a former assistant coach to the great Wayne Bennett at South Sydney Rabbitohs, adds a new dimension to the Robins for 2023 with pre-season training having alerted the players to the demands of their new boss.
“It’s been tough actually. It’s a different approach with Willie coming from the NRL, but the boys have taken to it really well. We’ve done a lot of hard work and we’re in great shape, we’re adapting to new systems and a different style of play and I think it’s going to work for us.”
The 34-year-old goes on to tell The Sportsman that Rovers have nobody to fear so long as they can begin the campaign well.
“We need to give ourselves the best chance. I think we really need to start the season well and get a few wins early on the board, and it’s about being consistent throughout the year. We need to earn our place in the top six, it’s not going to be easy but we’re in a good place.
“It’s up to us. We’re confident in our own ability, and it’s up to us to go out and deliver on the weekends. We know there’s a process, it’s a tight competition, there’s competition for that six, but if we look after the things we can control and prepare the best we can every week we’ll give ourselves the best chance.”
Rovers begin their assault on Super League with a home game against Wigan Warriors on Saturday, February 18.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
