Hull KR promise strong team for Town clash
Last updated 12:04, Friday, 18 April 2008
Super League Hull KR will roll out their big guns against Workington Town on Sunday pledged boss Justin Morgan.
The Aussie steered Toulouse to an unlikely Challenge Cup semi-final slot in 2005, when he believes some rivals underestimated the French underdogs.
And the canny coach warned he would not be caught out by taking League Two Town for granted.
The likes of tough nut Stanley Gene, playmakers Paul Cooke and James Webster, and formidable Aussie prop Garret Crossman, an NRL Grand Final winner last year with Melbourne Storm, will feature at Derwent Park.
“I will leave a couple out but there will be plenty of experience,” Morgan said. “They won’t all be kids. We will be prepared.”
Morgan has done his homework on Town and says he has watched five or six DVDs of their recent matches.
“I have got a fair understanding of what they can do. But with a game like this, you are going to a ground you’re not used to, and a different environment,” said Morgan, who steered Rovers to promotion to Super League in 2006.
“I came up through the ranks of National League footie, and it was a great grounding for a coach and players.”
Morgan crossed swords with Dave Rotheram two years ago when the current Workington boss was in charge at Haven.
Rovers twice beat injury-hit Haven early in the campaign at Craven Park, but Rotheram had his revenge against a weakened side at the Recre later in the season.
“Last time we met, he beat me, so I think I owe him one,” quipped Morgan. “Dave sets his teams up very well.”
Morgan is assured of a friendly welcome from Town directors after proving a great help in searching for a new coach, before Rotheram’s appointment in the close-season.
Chairman Dave Bowden said: “When we were ringing round, looking for a new coach, Justin gave us references on some people we were looking at, at the time.
“He couldn’t have been more helpful. I couldn’t speak highly enough of him, and it will be nice to catch up on Sunday.”
Mick Vella, arguably Super League’s form front-rower, is one star name likely to miss out.
