Mikey Lewis says Hull KR are ready to show they are genuine Super League contenders against Wigan.
Wilie Peters’ side have emerged as one the season’s surprise packages having surged up to third spot. They haven’t won a league title in 38 years and have more often than not been embroiled in dogfights at the other end of the table. But they opened this campaign with a stunning 27-18 win over big hitters Wigan.
And if they repeat that on Thursday, it could help prove they are the real deal while also usurping the Challenge Cup holders from second place. Exciting scrum-half Lewis said: “It would be a statement that we’re meaning business.
“And we are a team that will be there at the back end of the year. These are the games you want to play in. Going back to our last Super League game against Warrington, how we started that second half is not what we wanted to do. So it’s learning from those mistakes and putting them right. Wigan is a great test to see if we’re there or thereabouts.”
Rovers’ impressive six-match winning run was ended by leaders Warrington who overcame a 12-0 deficit to prosper 21-14. Peters’ side got back on track with a 50-0 Challenge Cup thrashing of Championship part-timers Batley last Friday. But England hopeful Lewis, 21, knows Wigan will be out to right some wrongs after their last failed visit to Craven Park.
He said: “I really like how they play. Harry Smith controls the team and Bevan French is electric out the back. They’ve had an up and down year but we know Wigan have a DNA where they run hard and tackle hard. It won’t be easy. We know that. “They’ll come here and try and beat us as after what happened in round one and they’ll be more determined than ever. But we’ve got to do our job.”
Smith got the nod at No7 in Shaun Wane’s England side against France last month, Lewis narrowly missing out on a debut as one of two unused members of a 19-man squad. But the dynamic gamebreaker feels he is maturing in Peters’ side, especially as he's now taking the lead with regular organising half-back partner Jordan Abdull crocked. Lewis said: “I've a slightly different role now Jordan is out injured. But I'm loving it. I’m a bit more controlling now and more steering the ship.
“I do feel like I’m getting more confident at it. I’m speaking in front of the lads, telling them what I want from them. It’s getting the balance right - still backing myself if I see something’s on - and I feel like I’m doing that.”
