In 2012, Hull Kingston Rovers competed in the 17th season of the Super League and also in the 2012 Challenge Cup. Last season they finished in the top eight before losing in the playoffs.
Background
Hull Kingston Rovers enter the 2012 season on the back of a good performance in 2011. They finished in 7th position on the competition table which qualified them for the playoffs before they were eliminated in the first rounds by the Catalans Dragons. However, Hull KR have lost much experience from their team over the off season. Key personnel losses included former coach Justin Morgan, who had helped Hull KR to get promoted to the Super League and the retirement of captain Mick Vella. Other key losses include Peter Fox, Clint Newton and Shaun Briscoe.
Craig Sandercock, who had been assistant at the Newcastle Knights was announced as the new coach in September 2011. Several players were signed to replace those who had left. These included former England player David Hodgson, Ryan O'Hara, Shannon McDonnell and Tongan international Mickey Paea. Injuries have also affected Hull KR with the loss of new captain Ben Galea and their 2011 player of the season Blake Green for much of the season.
Because of the loss of players, Hull Kingston Rovers prospects were not rated highly for 2012. Dave Woods, writer for the BBC said that " If they make the top eight, then you'd have to say "top achievement". But I reckon a year of relative struggle could be in store." They were given the 9th best odds to win the competition out of the 14 teams in the Super League.
2012 squad
2012 transfers
Ins NameSigned FromContract LengthDateRyan O'HaraCrusaders2 YearsSeptember 2011David HodgsonHuddersfield Giants2 YearsSeptember 2011Graeme HorneHuddersfield Giants2 YearsSeptember 2011George GriffinQueanbeyan Kangaroos2 YearsSeptember 2011Lincoln WithersCrusaders2 YearsSeptember 2011Mickey PaeaCanterbury Bulldogs2 YearsOctober 2011Keale CarlileHuddersfield Giants2 YearsOctober 2011Constantine MikaNewcastle Knights2 YearsOctober 2011Shannon McDonnellNewcastle Knights1 YearNovember 2011
Outs NameSold ToContract LengthDatePeter FoxWakefield Trinity Wildcats3 YearsJuly 2011Shaun BriscoeWidnes Vikings2 YearsAugust 2011Liam ColbonHarlequins RL2 YearsSeptember 2011Clint NewtonPenrith Panthers2 YearsSeptember 2011Matt CookHarlequins RL2 YearsSeptember 2011Michael VellaRetiredSeptember 2011Ben CockayneWakefield Trinity Wildcats1 YearOctober 2011Ben FisherBatley Bulldogs1 YearDecember 2011
Season summary
February
Hull KR opened the season by losing 34–16 on the opening day of the season to last season's champions Leeds Rhinos. The scoreline flattered Leeds who were able to pull away in the last 15 minutes of the match. The first win of the season came the next week when they defeated Wakefield 22–10 away from home. However, the victory came at a cost with scrum half Michael Dobson suffering a shoulder injury.
Fixtures and results
LEGEND
Win
Draw
Loss
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttLive on TVReport3 February 2012 Super League XVII 1 Leeds A Headingley L 16–34 Horne (2), Welham, Hodgson 15,343 Report12 February 2012 Super League XVII 2 Wakefield Trinity A Belle Vue W 22–10 Paea, Mika, Hodgson, Lovegrove Dobson 2, Hall 8,612 Report19 February 2012 Super League XVII 3 St Helens R.F.C. H Craven Park D 36–36 Welham, J Hodgson, D Hodgson, McDonnell, Mika 2 Hall 6 7,610 Match Report26 February 2012 Super League XVII 4 Warrington A Halliwell Jones L 10–42 Hall, Lovegrove Dobson 11,916 – Match Report4 March 2012 Super League XVII 5 Widnes H Craven Park W 36–0 Murrell, Hall 2, Withers, J Hodgson, Webster Dobson 6 7,423 – Match Report10 March 2012 Super League XVII 6 Bradford H Craven Park L 24–36 Paea, Hall, Welham, J Hodgson Dobson 4 7,486 – Match Report17 March 2012 Super League XVII 7 Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus L 12–20 Dobson, Welham Dobson 2 7,337 Match Report25 March 2012 Super League XVII 8 Huddersfield H Craven Park W 40–22 Paea, Watts, Taylor, Welham, J Hodgson, D Hodgson, Latus Dobson 6 7,616 Match Report30 March 2012 Super League XVII 9 Castleford A Wheldon Road L 30–34 Welham 3, Withers, J Hodgson Dobson 5 6,396 Match Report6 April 2012 Super League XVII 10 Hull A KC Stadium L 6–36 Hall Dobson 18,979 Sky Sports Match Report9 April 2012 Super League XVII 11 Salford A Salford City Stadium W 18–10 Taylor 2, Withers Dobson 3 5,000 Match Report22 April 2012 Super League XVII 12 London Broncos H Craven Park W 44–16 Welham 2, Green, Horne, D Hodgson 3 Dobson 8 6,713 Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 13 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 14 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 15 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 16 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 17 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 18 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 19 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 20 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 21 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 22 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 23 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 24 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 25 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 26 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report0/0/12 Super League XVII 27 Team H/A Venue W/D/L Score Try Scorers Goal Scorers Attendance TV Match Report
References
External links Official website East Hull is Wonderful fanzine
Hull KR Junior Robins