Tony Smith has explained a strengthened squad will line up against Doncaster in the Black & Whites second pre-season test on Sunday afternoon.
After a young squad took on Bradford last weekend, it will be an opportunity for some of Smith’s more senior players to get some minutes under their belt in South Yorkshire, including his new recruits for 2024.
Looking ahead to the clash, Smith said: “We haven’t been shy that we’re playing the big boys this week. Everyone who is fit and healthy will be playing. There will be some varying minutes; some will play longer than others, but we’ll have quite a few extras and some boys who haven’t had a run yet, plus a scattering of young guys who did have a run last weekend. They’ll be in.
“All of the new signings will also play. It’s important for them. We have made a lot of changes, and they need to play alongside each other, particularly the overseas players, to acclimatise to winter rugby and rugby in this country. There are different interpretations, different styles, and different teammates. It’s a different way of playing.
“It gives them a chance to develop some combinations with each other, and it helps us work out where we need to focus next. We’re doing a lot of stuff in training to prepare for round one, but you need to play some games and find out what needs reinforcing or what needs to be pushed harder.”
Injuries and hooker.”
Smith confirmed that hooker duo Danny Houghton and Denive Balmforth will both miss the match with minor knocks.
“Danny Houghton isn’t going to play. He’s just strained a ligament in his hand in training. It’s nothing serious, but we just need it to settle down rather than put him in a friendly situation and maybe damage it further. He should be fine by the time we play Wigan.
“Denive carried a shoulder issue into the last game, and it probably affected the way he played a little bit. He had some really good glimpses, but he also had some moments that affected him. He won’t participate this week. He needs to get himself physically ready before he can go out and perform to the level that he needs to.
“We’ve still got a number of players who can cover the nine position, but Cator will get the first nod. He has spent most of pre-season playing in the nine role as well as at 13. He’s been really keen to practice there, and he’ll enjoy getting the minutes, I’m sure.
“I’m also going to include Jeylan Hodgson as a reward for what he did last week. I thought he came off the bench and did a really good job. He stiffened us up in defence, and he was really enthusiastic. I’m happy to include him and a few others as well.”
Assessing the test ahead against the Betfred Championship outfit, Smith added: “I think it’s going to be a really good hit out for us. They’re a very experienced team and they’ve got some quality players. It’s going to be a high-quality game for us in terms of our preparation and I’m sure we will get a lot out of it.
“At this time of the year, the rugby league isn’t that attractive and it’s a bit scrappy. I don’t want us to play too expansive in these sorts of conditions, but I’d like us to have a real focus on defence and being solid in defence with each other.
“I know we’re going to make some mistakes, but I’d like to think we’re going to show some grit as well and some determination, and a bit of urgency and all those sorts of things. We all want that from our teams and it’s a chance to practice some of that. I think we’ll get tested big time by a very mature team, so it’ll be good for our development, that’s for sure.”
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