Why Hull KR coaches were 'filthy' despite London Broncos annihilation

Hull KR assistant coach Danny Ward admitted the Robins coaching staff were left frustrated, despite watching their side annihilate London Broncos. Rovers were handsome winners, scoring eleven tries as they registered a 64-14 victory to move fourth in Super League.

The Robins returned to winning ways in emphatic style as they put London to the sword. At one point, Super League's all-time record for the biggest margin of victory appeared under threat, with Rovers 46-0 up at the break.

However, they only won the second half on goal kicks as, not for the first time this season, the Robins weren't able to produce a full 80-minute performance after a promising start. And that was the basis of the irritation for Ward and the coaching team after the game.

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"We're coaches and we're raging about conceding 14 in the second half and some of the stuff we did," Ward said. "People will think that's mad because it's been a good win, a good performance. We've been asking questions of the group at the start of the week after last week's performance and the previous week. They've responded well in training and we sensed it on the trip down that they were switched on this weekend and it was a really good performance.

"There were some things in that second half that we really aren't happy about but that's us as coaches, always chasing perfection. I think the lads will be a little bit disappointed we conceded but overall, very happy we've come here against a London side improving every week, so we knew we had to be at the top of our game. To get that score is really pleasing on the league standings."

Ward added, "We're always wanting to be better and looking for ways to improve. We'd never just pat ourselves on the back and say that was outstanding. We always want to improve and look at areas we weren't quite good enough. We changed things with our team in the second half and got a bit clunky with the ball, made a couple of errors, and suddenly we conceded a few penalties off the back of it. We're always chasing a perfect, 80-minute performance, but the boys are a good group to work with, and we'll work hard to work on those things."

One ongoing issue is the right-edge defence, which conceded another three tries off the back of issues against Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors.

"We had a bit of personnel change there and got a little bit disconnected. We got done on a scrum; we didn't field the kick-off. We spoke at half-time about being ruthless and then we knocked on straight off kick-off. Then we concede straight off the scrum, with our numbers getting done. The boys are working hard in training; we do a lot of video review, we just lost connections a few times. We put Niall on the wing at the end and had a look at Broady at the back, we experimented with a few bits there. We could say the lads weren't used to playing with each other, but we don't make excuses; that wasn't good enough and we need to be better connected and work on the same page."

Tom Opacic and Jez Litten both missed the game, with Ward explaining their absences while praising James Batchelor, who filled in at centre.

"Tom Opacic and his wife are expecting so he didn't travel as he needs to be with his family. We had a shuffle around yesterday at training and Batch put his hand up. We were OK with back-rowers in Dean and it gave Kelepi a chance to start. Batch has played there before and been good, he talks well does Batch, he does his job, you could put him wherever as he's a good talker, knows his role and studies the game well. I thought he had a good, solid game out there.

"Jez was rested, he was filthy about it because he wants to play every week. But we've got to be smart, it's a long season and he's been doing a fantastic job for us. Because of that, Matty has been down on his minutes and it was a good opportunity for him to get his minutes."