Hunslet Head Coach Kyle Trout has prepared his side for a second visit of the year to Odsal, Bradford for their Betfred Championship game against Halifax Panthers. (Aug 17th 3pm).
Coming off the back of a 0-54 defeat to York Knights and the Panthers beating Sheffield Eagles 46-6, it’s another tough ask as Hunslet lose another 2 players.
Kobe Rugless has left for London Broncos and Brad Gallagher has been recalled by Oldham.
“It’s a shame Brad has left” said Trout “He said playing for us re-invigorated his love of the game,Kobe has gone and we will be missing Mason Corbett and Will Hutchinson this week too”.
“We’ve had a look at Halifax. Earlier in the season at home we caused them problems in the first half but fell away in the second. I feel we are now more a 60 minutes team than a 20 minute team, but we are struggling for troops at the moment. We have cover, but the sides not balanced. We are having to move players into positions they wouldn’t normally play which has made us a bit clunky in attack”.
On the good news front Sam Ackroyd should return in the halves after having impressed at Doncaster.
“Sam is really keen, he’s trained at Hunslet and Bradford putting in a session a day. He was decent at Doncaster and if Lee Gaskell is fit it will give us more options in attack”.
Hunslet gave a good account of themselves at Odsal earlier in the year, but even though it’s a neutral venue the Halifax supporters will try turn it into a home match.
“All games are big games for us, we have our backs to the wall, but I didn’t feel last weeks game was a 0-54, we parked the bus in the last quarter. We have to be disruptive in defence, there’s no hiding, and be less predictable in attack. Our fans got behind us last time at Odsal, and hopefully they will be there in numbers again. We prepare as ever, there’s no more or less pressure on the lads, we are trying to build a culture and reinforce good behaviour with reward”.
One man who impressed last week was Jack Rampton, in only his 4th game of Rugby League looks like he has pace to burn, and with Hull FC teammate Ryan Westerman back in the squad and young forward Ethan Wood likely to be included Hunslet have attacking options.
Make no mistake it’s been a tough year for Hunslet, coming into the Championship via the playoff’s meant less time to prepare, but looking ahead Hunslet are already looking at retaining some of this year’s crop and bringing in experience and quality talent from elsewhere.
There is still work to do this year though as Hunslet look to upset the odds beginning at Odsal on Sunday.
