Morgan happy with Cooke but not defeat - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Morgan happy with Cooke but not defeat

Justin Morgan admitted Paul Cooke delivered what he expected of him on his Hull KR debut - but was more concerned by his side's lack of confidence after seven straight league defeats.

Cooke made his first Robins' appearance just hours after his controversial move from rivals Hull FC was confirmed but ended up on the losing side as Rovers went down 28-16 to Huddersfield in the engage Super League.

"I thought he [Cooke] was great," said Morgan after the Craven Park clash. "He kicked well and I said before the game that he wouldn't have a problem settling in and I think that we saw that."

Morgan added: "He kicked the ball exceptionally well, defended well and gave us good direction. The players are only going to get better when they get used to playing with him.

"The fact that nobody has had a training session with him wasn't the issue for him fitting in, that was never going to be a problem.

We've got a week's worth of training to get some understanding and I expect an improved performance from everyone next week."

Coach Morgan also believed the 71st-minute sinbinning of Mark O'Neill was crucial, but is refusing to place blame and is now looking forward to next weekend's derby with Hull at the Millennium Stadium.

Morgan added: "We were better than we were last week which is good, but again we gave them a bit of a start and it hurt us in the end.

"I thought momentum was starting to swing our way midway through the second half, certainly the turning point was the sinbinning of Mark O'Neill. After that we were certainly on the back foot.

"I didn't know what the yellow card was for when it happened and I still haven't seen it. I don't blame anyone for it, they're not the ones who miss tackles or don't chase down kicks. It was a pivotal moment in the game but I'm not one to shift blame."

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