11 May 2023 , 11:23
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Warrington boss Daryl Powell says Hull KR are “dangerous” - and genuine title challengers.
He hopes to see leaders Warrington clinch a first Super League title this year. But Rovers - battling against relegation last term - have won their last six games to demonstrate their own quality as potential surprise contenders.
And Powell agreed: “Hull KR are a dangerous team. I do think they’re quality. The way they’re looking, they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. They are working super hard, their standards are high, they're defending really well and conceding the least metres per set in the competition. It’s a perfect game for us. It’ll be tough.”
Warrington defeated Rovers 18-10 at Craven Park in March but Willie Peters - in his first season in charge - has seen his side lose just once since. Powell added: “They have been really good. I was talking to Willie the other day at the coaches meeting we had. He’s done a really good job. I like the way he speaks. It’s a really good job Hull KR and he’s built on the foundations Tony (Smith) had built. They have some dangerous players and - a sign of a really good team - it doesn’t matter who’s in there they play really well.”
After their own seven-game winning run was ended by Wigan, and followed by a loss to St Helens, Warrington got back to success against Wakefield last week. Meanwhile, Powell knows he has a decision to make on Matt Dufty, Warrington’s star Australian full-back who was shifted to the bench to make way for young England hopeful Josh Thewlis in that game.
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Powell said: “I’ve got a call to make there. I know what I’m going to do but won’t tell you just yet! Dufts has been class for us most of the season. There’s a couple of bits we want him to work on. It’s healthy if every position in the team gets challenged by other players. That drives performance and standards. When he comes back in he’ll be outstanding and that will be down in some way by what’s happened to him. Josh was very, very good.”