Wakefield head coach Brian Smith wary of Hull KR backlash
Saturday 5 September 2015 13:54, UK
Wakefield coach Brian Smith has warned his players they face a possible backlash from Hull KR when they meet in the Super 8s Qualifiers on Sunday.
Rovers were on the wrong end of a record 50-0 mauling by Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup final and that, Smith feels, makes them tricky opponents for the clash at the KC Lightstream Stadium.
"It's a tough thing to deal with on a big day like that, such a momentous occasion," said Smith.
"There's all sorts of possible responses, all out of our control.
"We need to focus really hard on what our job is and be ready for whatever Hull KR come with. There could be a backlash and we've got to be ready for that."
The Wildcats are two points behind Rovers, who have won all three of their Super 8s fixtures to date, and need at least two more wins to retain their Super League status.
"It's definitely a game by game thing," said Smith who was brought in by chairman Michael Carter in May with the sole brief of keeping Wakefield in the top-flight.
"If you win five games you're going to finish out of the danger zone and that's our goal.
"We desperately want to win on Sunday, that would make the pressure involved a little less."
Watch Wakefield take on Hull KR in the Super 8s Qualifiers on Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Xtra and Sky Sports for iPad at 3pm.
