Discipline controversy among Hull KR lessons to be learned with Grand Final edging closer

Hull Kingston Rovers were better overall than Wigan Warriors when it was 13 men versus 13 - so there are lessons to learn for the Robins moving forward - regarding the importance of discipline; staying on the right side of fine margins in contact, staying within the rules under pressure. All that, of course, is easier said than done, but it is what can make the difference in intense and tight games such as Friday night's one between high-calibre teams, where control is precious.

By the letter of the law, the sin-binning assessment of the officials was justifiable but controversy has come from the circumstances of the second yellow card of the night for Rovers, given to Jai Whitbread. Tyler Dupree staying down ultimately ended in Whitbread being sin-binned. Staying down has now become a hot topic in the sport, rearing its head too much for the good of the game. But processes are processes, rules are rules, and players are going to operate within that framework to gain maximum advantage for their clubs. It is arguably naive to think that clubs themselves will eradicate it without help from the powers-that-be.

Rovers, though, can take this as a very valuable lesson. Winning the League Leaders' Shield looks unlikely as things stand now, requiring a slip-up by a Wigan team that is full of class and has key men back. But the biggest prize the domestic season has to offer - the Grand Final - remains very realistic. If anything, Friday night should only have strengthened the belief that Rovers are a potential Grand Final team because of the way the game went when it was 13 versus 13.

Read more: Hull KR suffer narrow defeat at Wigan after yellow cards prove costly

Playing against the cutting edge ability of Bevan French and Jai Field, or the drive and power of Junior Nsemba, is challenging enough when it is 13 men against 13 men, let alone 13 against 12. Wigan's discipline had been in question before this match, and it was interesting to see if they could keep 13 men in the field, which they did, but ironically it was Rovers who went down to 12 on two occasions.

It meant that a lot of hard work was sadly undone. Rovers were defensively strong to repel Wigan in the early stages then they produced moments that are familiar for those who watch them regularly but should still be savoured when they happen - the quick-thinking of Matt Parcell and the elusiveness of Mikey Lewis - which gave them a 10-0 lead.

Then came a moment that was at first heart-racing then, figuratively, heart-stopping. It happened as Field burst clear then Oliver Gildart produced a heroic defensive effort with Rovers in danger. Joe Burgess - who has been a star of Rovers' recent rise - was sin-binned though for holding down when he arguably should not have.

It did not take long for Wigan to capitalise as Abbas Miski scored a try out wide, albeit requiring an exceptional finish. And Rovers were quickly cut open for a second Wigan try when French exploited the numerical advantage after a change of direction and teed up Nsemba. They have players to work wonders when it is 13 versus 12, although it must be said that their discipline was not faultless, with Harry Smith conceding a cheap penalty during that period, which allowed Mikey Lewis to add two points and give the Robins a 12-8 half-time advantage.

And another Wigan lapse, when Lewis was hit by an aggressive shot, allowed the Rovers half-back to kick another two points early in the second half. Hull KR then soaked up pressure again and threw a thrilling counter-punch when Peta Hiku and Burgess combined for a pulsating breakaway try that gave them a two-score lead at 20-8.

After French's creative solo try cut the gap, Rovers suffered from the second yellow card - and that came after penalty concession had helped Wigan's cause beforehand. On initial viewing, when Dupree went down, the incident looked innocuous and it was unclear what his injury was. The footage led to a reaction and it was followed by the sin-binning. Field then made hay and teed up Marshall to go over for his first try before the left winger added his second by sliding over after a sweeping, charging move that took advantage of stretched defence.

The lapses of discipline had been taken advantage of, and for Rovers the lesson was there to be learned, as they look to finish a memorable season with a flourish.

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