Hull KR’s hopes for a top-four finish in the Betfred Super League took a massive hit after they suffered their second home defeat in five days, a shocking 32-12 loss to Toulouse. Had they won, the Robins would have climbed to fourth, but now they remain sixth and face the prospect of being away for the first round of the play-offs next month. That’s a brutal consequence for a team with high aspirations.
Toulouse Delivers Punch After Punch
Toulouse clearly sensed opportunity, and they absolutely capitalized, especially after the 30-minute mark. Mathieu Jussaume kicked things off for the French side, crossing the line after Jack Broadbent whiffed on a tackle. The Robins tried to claw back, with captain Elliot Minchella getting a try in the 35th minute thanks to a Peta Hiku break, which was a moment of hope. But then, a second Hull KR score three minutes later got correctly ruled out for obstruction by Hiku. That had to be a total gut punch! Toulouse then truly took control. Benjamin Laguerre made a scorching break down the left side, setting up Romeo Tropis for his first try right under the posts. The Robins couldn’t even catch a break from the video referee, with James Vella awarding Toulouse a third try when Anthony Marion muscled over at 62 minutes, even through two Hull KR tackles. Talk about a team on a mission.
Errors and Fatigue Plague Hull KR
What on earth happened to Hull KR out there? The source report called their performance ‘error-strewn,’ and that’s putting it mildly. Repeated costly mistakes and giving away needless penalties like candy? That’s not the Robins we know, not when a top-four spot is on the line. You’ve gotta wonder if playing their third game in ten days was finally catching up to them; it certainly looked like it. And the news that Mikey Lewis and Tevita Pangai Jr weren’t even in the squad, even though their bans do not kick in until next week, adds another layer to the head-scratching. Toulouse, meanwhile, just kept piling on the misery. They completely sucked in Hull KR’s defense before Paul Ulberg burst free on the right for a try in the 66th minute. Tropis then bagged his second thanks to what was described as ‘shambolic defending’ by the Robins at 71 minutes. Shambolic! Luke Polselli rubbed salt in the wound six minutes later, touching down his own kick right under the posts. Louix Gorman showed a flash of pace to score a minute from time, but honestly, it was too little, too late. No consolation whatsoever for a team that needed a win badly.
This 32-12 beatdown from Toulouse wasn’t just a loss; it was a brutal wake-up call for Hull KR’s playoff aspirations. Remaining sixth means they are now looking at an away game for the first round of playoffs next month. The Robins have got to clean up those errors and find some energy, or it’s going to be a short postseason.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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