Don't ever tell Ryan Hall that Hull KR are 80 minutes away from Wembley.
The veteran England winger helped Rovers into the Challenge Cup semi-finals with Saturday’s thrilling 26-14 win over holders Leigh. And now only Wigan stand between them and back-to-back appearances at the national stadium. But when being reminded they are just 80 minutes away from Wembley, Robins star Hall retorted: “I really hate that phrase.
“I absolutely despise it. We are 80 minutes away. But we are 160 minutes away from winning that trophy. When people say ‘let’s get to Wembley’ I just think no. That’s not the goal. The goal isn’t to get to Wembley or to play at Wembley. We got to Wembley last year. And where did that end up? We need to WIN. We’re 160 minutes away from winning at Wembley.”
And the ruthless Hall knows all about that. He twice lifted the Cup with Leeds and won the Lance Todd Trophy as man-of-the-match when they beat Castleford in 2014. Gutted Rovers were denied success last year by Lachlan Lam’s golden point drop goal.
But Willie Peters’ side, just two points off Super League’s top spot, have strengthened considerably this time around. Asked if they are in a better position now to claim the Cup for only the second time in their 142 year history, Hall said: “I’d hope so as we were so close to winning last year. That hurts so much because where this club’s been and where it’s come from, the journey from the ashes almost, it’s come so far.
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"When I signed [from Sydney Roosters] in 2021, they’d won just three games all year the season before. For me to now be attached to this club and develop to where it is now, to win something would be unbelievable. We came so close last year and we’re still in the mix now. I think we’re a good team. We’re qualified enough to say that.”
Hull KR's Ryan Hall (PA)Even at the age of 36, prolific Hall continues to show no signs of slowing down: he’s in Super League’s top-five performers this season for carries [132], metres made [1,037]and tackle busts [39]. And four tries in seven games so far has taken his tally to 244, edging ever closer to breaking former Leeds team-mate Danny McGuire’s remarkable Super League record of 247. But all Hall is bothered about is team goals. Rovers, who hosted the funeral of club legend Phil Lowe today, visit leaders Catalans on Saturday.
The French club were surprisingly thrashed 34-6 at home by Huddersfield in the Cup. But Hall said: “I know they weren’t great there but they are a good team. And our history over there is not the best. It’ll be a tough job.”
A repeat of Saturday’s impressive showing against Leigh will hold them in good stead. Peters’ side turned on the style in the second half, recovering from 8-4 down at the break to send the side who beat them at Wembley crashing out of this year’s competition. But the action-packed game was in the balance right up until the final seconds.
Hall admitted: “If I can remove myself from the emotion of being attached to one of the sides, I can imagine it was a good game to watch. “The skill level for us wasn’t the best first half. We had a couple of good chances which ended up with knock-ons, like when I passed to Niall [Evalds], and then Pet [Hiku] knocked on a couple of times. There were a couple of ‘no tries’ as well and there a few try-saving tackles from us, too. So I imagine for the neutral it was an entertaining game. It was great to get it done.”
Fellow winger Joe Burgess scored twice including a stunning 90m solo effort as he continues to impress after his surprise sacking by Salford. Hall said: “He’s been great. He’s fantastic. I’ve played with him before for England and that sentence alone - playing for your country - says it. He’s a top quality winger and he’s showing that. The try he scored was top notch: to do that and finish the way he did, it was a great solo effort but also helped get us out of a ditch.”
Rovers are set to be without prop Sauaso Sue against Catalans after he was hit with a one-game suspension. Meanwhile, Castleford front-row Sylvester Namo could face a ban of six games or more for an alleged dangerous contact that left Wigan’s Willie Isa with a broken leg. The Papua New Guinea international faces tonight’s tribunal along with Catalans’ Bayley Sironen who may be suspended for up to five matches if found guilty of a Grade E head contact.
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