Mickey Paea: Hull KR must 'keep it simple' against Catalan Dragons
HULL KR prop Mickey Paea has told his players to keep things simple when they start their season against Catalan at MS3 Craven Park tomorrow.
As the saying goes, patience is a virtue and that is something Paea believes in very much.
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Hull KR's Mickey Paea
Rovers were guilty of over complicating things at times last season and paid the price by finishing 10th.
Paea says playing on a heavy pitch isn't the time to try fancy things and he wants to stick to the basics before expanding their game.
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"I think the game-plan will be a simple one to start the season with," he told the Mail.
"The pitches aren't the best at this time of year.
"And the wind at our ground can make things difficult.
"Tomorrow's game will be about getting a good completion percentage and building on that.
"There isn't anything major to fix in our game we just need to get the little things right and be patient.
"Patience certainly is a virtue."
Games against Catalan are the first ones Paea looks out for when the fixtures computer completes its annual task.
It means a battle against his older brother Lopini, but sadly for Paea junior, his brother will miss the duel because of knee surgery.
However, Paea insists the absence of his brother will not make his job any easier in one of the biggest physical battles of the season.
And he knows if KR's pack can win their battle, it will benefit the rest of the team.
"It's a good thing for us that Lopini's not playing," Paea said.
"We still have a job to do and it's our focus to get this win. Physical battles don't come much bigger than when you play against the Dragons.
"Their pack is the reason why they finished fourth last season.
"I really enjoy those battles, they are the games you want to play in, and Catalan are renowned for being a big pack with big boppers.
"They will provide a strong challenge.
"They like to get their sets rolling through them and if we can match them up the middle and set a good platform for Michael Dobson, the outside backs will have a good day."
7 Comments
by kcmick
Sunday, February 03 2013, 6:37PM
“Well slammer ,,mickey did kick on he is up to 11 mins a game now”
by albaz
Sunday, February 03 2013, 6:06PM
“Where has my post about a defensive shambles and ill thought selections gone and WHY has it gone?”
by albaz
Sunday, February 03 2013, 5:58PM
“Another defensive shambles.The French have a phrase that (loosely) translates as "we've seen this rubbish before"
Absolutely ridiculous to have our third choice hooker on the bench against any side but particularly against such as Catalans pack.Josh Hodgson is not a back row forward and Hall is not a fullback.
Without their star playmaker and main impact forward the French still looked to be playing at a different level to us and that is down to coaching and the attitude their coach has instilled.
It's fortunate Catalans eased up and then tired or the score would have been much worse.”
by albaz
Sunday, February 03 2013, 2:15PM
“Personally I want organised defense not the shambles of last season and a better attitude.
Two of those with the attitude problem have gone and another will surely improve his work rate and have been told that throwing the ball away is not ball-handling.
Plenty of talking in the Mail again,I just off to see some "walking" hopefully.”
by hkrarmy
Sunday, February 03 2013, 11:39AM
“in the preseason game we have looked a lot tougher than last season, and better organised in defence ,if i remember correctly we lost 10 games by 6 points or less last year ,thats whant we will have to change .”
by SiberianRed
Saturday, February 02 2013, 4:00PM
“This year I think KR may not play the champagne rugby that everyone wants but they will be a much tougher nut to crack. Players like Mikey fits the mould perfectly and with others doing their fair share of graft instead of crying BO HO after tens minutes to claim a pay check we will be on a good footing. The games we lost year by a score turned into wins would see the reds doing very well nicely!”
by Dr_Slammer
Saturday, February 02 2013, 9:32AM
“Couldn't agree more with Mickey Paea's advice, although he was himself guilty of it (lack of patience) in a couple of the close-game losses!
I know a number of Rovers supporters who don't rate Mickey because of his defence, but I ain't one. I like his rugged style and go-forward and, whilst this sounds like an excuse, he will be better for getting a full season under his belt (this goes for Meeks, as well).
Don't forget, Mickey was a bit part player in the NRL before he came over, and his lack of fitness told toward the end of last season. I am expecting Mickey to kick-on, and with Tui as his exchange, I can see that prop position being the cornerstone of Rovers pack.”