Joe Burgess Scores Four Tries As Hull Kr Thrashing Of Salford Raises Big Questions

In nan week erstwhile Super League agreed nan decision to grow to 14 teams successful 2026, this was surely not nan benignant of advert to propose that nan title is fresh to grow.

Top v bottommost successful immoderate title tin easy consequence successful a one-sided outcome, and nan truth Salford are still stuck successful a financial situation and were without respective elder players meant thing for illustration this was ever going to beryllium possible.

The reality is that this fixture whitethorn not beryllium seen again for immoderate time, though. While Super League is expanding adjacent year, location is simply a increasing anticipation that Salford whitethorn neglect to make nan cut. Having been classed 12th past twelvemonth successful nan IMG gradings, it is expected nan Red Devils’ financial problems will consequence successful a driblet successful their score.

With only nan apical 12 guaranteed a spot successful Super League successful 2026 and nan different 2 sides to beryllium handpicked by an independent panel, nan financial situation which has engulfed this nine this play intends they are improbable to get nan nod. We could rather conceivably beryllium witnessing nan last weeks of Salford arsenic a Super League club.

Having had to person an beforehand successful their cardinal distribution connected nan eve of nan season, Salford are still waiting for a important multimillion lb bridging indebtedness that will easiness their short- and medium-term concerns, having been taken complete successful February. That intends that, two-thirds of nan measurement into nan season, their early feels progressively uncertain.

It is not a awesome look for Salford, aliases for nan competition. This had nan chopped consciousness of a training convention for nan convention leaders Hull KR, who recorded their biggest triumph arsenic a Super League club. After 10 minutes, they were 14-0 up and moreover then, you knew nan consequence had been decided.

Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis was astatine his superb champion against Salford connected Thursday night. Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA

By half-time it was 34-6, pinch Salford’s only first-half effort coming done Justin Sangaré. In contrast, Hull KR scored astatine will without getting anyplace adjacent apical gear. Mikey Lewis, nan competition’s premier player, was astatine his effervescent champion arsenic he laid connected aggregate tries, including 2 for Joe Burgess.

Burgess would people 2 much successful nan six minutes aft nan restart. There was past a telling infinitesimal erstwhile Salford’s young full-back, Declan Murphy, offered a manus successful appreciation to nan outstanding Lewis arsenic he celebrated different try. It felt for illustration an acceptance that nan gulf betwixt these 2 sides is conscionable excessively big.

Hull KR are a awesome outfit successful each areas – connected and disconnected nan pitch. They are a relentless juggernaut and showed small mercy present against a nine successful heavy strife. But what Salford do person is tone among their playing group and connected nan terraces. If they are heading for nan Championship, they do truthful pinch their heads held high.

Charlie Glover’s precocious effort was scant consolation arsenic by past Rovers had added much tries done nan likes of Arthur Mourgue and Rhyse Martin. The dream for Super League officials will beryllium that nan teams who are promoted travel into nan title without nan kinds of problems that person stricken Salford each year.

At slightest 2 Super League coaches – St Helens’ Paul Wellens and Castleford’s Chris Chester – person admitted since news of description collapsed that they person concerns astir whether nan sport’s subordinate excavation is beardown capable to prolong 14 elite teams. This will person done small to assuage those fears.