Prior to the game, during his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, Robins head coach Willie Peters did little to defuse ongoing speculation he will be leaving the club at the end of the season to return to his native Australia.
“It’s not for me to put statements out, the club will do that in time but my whole focus is hopefully getting a win tonight – we’ll see what the club say,” Peters said.
While Rovers are yet to put a statement out about Peters’ future, they certainly put a statement out on the field, putting their stuttering start to the season firmly behind them by brushing the stunned Saints aside.
A knock on from Saints’ George Delaney mere seconds into the match set the tone, and on the Robins’ first sight of the line, Lewis’ kick to the corner was claimed confidently by Burgess to dot down inside the opening two minutes.
Burgess had another try disallowed following a television match official review but the Robins did get their second moments later when Oliver Gildart’s grubber kick found Lewis who weaved past three St Helens defenders before extending over and, by the time he had kicked the extras, Hull KR were 10 points up after 12 minutes.
Saints’ David Klemmer was penalised for a late shot on Elliott Minshella and Lewis knocked over two more points before a brilliant line break from Tyrone May allowed the centre to find Litten on his inside in support to dive over to the right of the sticks.
The hosts put their party hats on moments after kick-off when quick hands from Lewis found Burgess, who raced to the line before selling a dummy to Saints’ Tristan Sailor and diving over for his second try with ease.
Lewis then got his second – again on the left edge – combining with Whitbread to crash over as Hull KR raced into a 30-point lead at the hooter.