Hull KR secure top-six place with win over Giants

Betfred Super League

Hull KR (18) 36

Tries: Minchella, Mourgue 2, Broadbent, Litten, Davies Goals: Mourgue 3, Martin 3

Huddersfrield (6) 6

Try: Zenon Goal: Lolohea

Hull Kingston Rovers secured their place in the Super League play-offs with an early try glut against Huddersfield Giants.

The reigning Super League champions went into the home game against the in-form Giants off the back of three straight defeats, but restored several of their front-line players to the team after resting them in last week's heavy defeat by Wigan Warriors.

In what was head coach Willie Peters' final home game before he leaves to take charge of new franchise PNG Chiefs in the NRL, the Robins took control as captain Elliot Minchella, Arthur Mourgue and Jack Broadbent scored tries in the opening 17 minutes.

The Giants, who had hauled themselves up from being adrift at the bottom with five wins from their previous six games, hit back through Tanguy Zenon but tries from Jez Litten, Mourgue and Tom Davies secured Rovers' place in the play-offs.

Peters has taken the Robins to new heights during his four years at the club, culminating in last season's domestic treble and victory in the World Club Challenge earlier this year.

After the match, he said his farewells to home fans, with a top-four place now out of reach.

His team, which has been underwhelming at times this season, showed some of their championship class with three tries in the space of eight minutes to dispel any nerves against a Giants side which put a temporary dent in Leigh Leopards' play-off push last week.

The excellent Minchella finished a spell of severe pressure on the Huddersfield line with a powerful finish, Mourgue side-stepped past two tackles for another and Broadbent raced over from Peta Hiku's pass.

Zenon's try late in the half revived a few doubts but they were quickly quelled as the reliable Rhyse Martin, also making his final home appearance before following Peters to PNG, kicked a penalty and Litten's opportunist finish opened the gap to 20 points.

Minchella, one of seven big guns restored to the side, unselfishly set up Mourgue for his second try of the night and Davies' finish in the corner wrapped up a comfortable win which, together with St Helens' defeat, means the Robins' defence of their title will continue into the play-offs.

Hull KR coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:

"We had to work hard for it. I know 36-6 might indicate it was a lot easier than what it was - they are a good team and work hard for each other.

"We had a really good start, and then I thought we went away from that. Then we built the game again, just grinded away and found points late, which was good because there were no points scored for the first 20 minutes of the second half except for the goal.

"There's no doubt we were energised, and so we should. Last week there were guys carrying injuries and three that definitely could have played.

"It was a good opportunity to let them take a breath, and they came out with some energy."

Huddersfield coach Jim Lenihan said:

"I think the referee had a good game, but there were a couple of calls there that I shake my head at.

"Just the way we can get a bloke knocked out, and obviously the video referee referee got a look, but as soon as he gets hit over the head with an arm we lose a man for the whole game.

"And we lose a man {Sam Halsall] with a hip-drop (tackle) – when we have a long look at them we were on the wrong end of some tough calls.

"We're going to get it looked at but it's pretty bad."

Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Mourgue, May; Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Whitbread, Minchella.

Interchanges: Luckley, Martin, Lawton, Leyland.

Huddersfield: Evalds; Jagger, Halsall, Gagai, Milne; Lolohea, Clune; Rushton, Greenwood, Cozza, King, Woolford, Powell.

Interchanges: Rogers, Rush, Billington, Zenon.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.