Featherstone Rovers v Wakefield Trinity: Brian McDermott seeking sharper attacking display in final friendly

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS boss Brian McDermott will be looking for a sharper attacking performance at home to Wakefield Trinity on Sunday.
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The derby is Rovers’ second and final pre-season game - after last week’s 30-22 loss to Leeds Rhinos - and comes eight day before their Betfred Championship opener at York City Knights.

McDermott gave most of his squad a run-out against Leeds in his first game as coach and saw them hit back from 30-10 down midway through the second half. McDermott admitted

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Rovers were “a bit clunky with the ball” and he said: “I expected that.

Brian McDermott. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comBrian McDermott. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Brian McDermott. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

"We’d hope to sharpen that up against Wakefield, but quite often in this country the weather has a bearing and if it’s wet and sticky, we’re probably looking at a similar type of attack.

"There’s stuff we have to sharpen up on, but for our first warm-up game, that’s okay.”

Rovers were only 18-6 behind at the break against Rhinos’ first-choice side, but conceded two tries to their fringe players in the second half.

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“Clearly there were some bits we were rusty on, but there were some good passages of play, especially defensively and we remained competitive throughout,” he added.

“You’ve got a list of things you need to tick off for a pre-season game and I think that pretty much ticks it all.

"We remained competitive in the first 40 minutes against the Rhinos’ strongest team and, actually, I thought when they brought the young fellas on in the second half it exposed us a bit.

“There’s a bit to work on, but we kept in touch with the game.”