BATTLING QUINS MOVE INTO PLAY-OFF BERTH
Brian McDermott hailed his Harlequins team’s battling spirit following their hard-earned 35-16 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers on Saturday. After 10 games Quins now perch fifth in the Super League, only four points behind table-toppers Leeds Rhinos.
McDermott, whose squad is stretched by injury, praised the combative attitude his troops displayed and is confident that Quins can hang on to their play-off place.
"There is a real winning attitude among the boys,” said the former marine. “I’m delighted that we backed up last week’s performance. We’re putting a lot of emphasis on performance this year and we’ve bounced back after losing three games in a row.
"We are really trying a different ethos and if that means errors then let us get ready to defend. There are (injured) players waiting to come back but the guys who are playing at the moment will get the shirt if they keep playing like that."
The former Great Britain prop also wished to draw England coach Tony Smith’s attention to the form of loose forward and captain Rob Purdham and winger Rikki Sheriffe, who scored twice against Hull KR.
When Smith takes the national side to the World Cup in Australia in October, McDermott believes his players should be on the plane. “Rob and Rikki are looking every inch internationals at the moment,” he added.
Brian McDermott hailed his Harlequins team’s battling spirit following their hard-earned 35-16 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers on Saturday. After 10 games Quins now perch fifth in the Super League, only four points behind table-toppers Leeds Rhinos.
McDermott, whose squad is stretched by injury, praised the combative attitude his troops displayed and is confident that Quins can hang on to their play-off place.
"There is a real winning attitude among the boys,” said the former marine. “I’m delighted that we backed up last week’s performance. We’re putting a lot of emphasis on performance this year and we’ve bounced back after losing three games in a row.
"We are really trying a different ethos and if that means errors then let us get ready to defend. There are (injured) players waiting to come back but the guys who are playing at the moment will get the shirt if they keep playing like that."
The former Great Britain prop also wished to draw England coach Tony Smith’s attention to the form of loose forward and captain Rob Purdham and winger Rikki Sheriffe, who scored twice against Hull KR.
When Smith takes the national side to the World Cup in Australia in October, McDermott believes his players should be on the plane. “Rob and Rikki are looking every inch internationals at the moment,” he added.
Labels: Brian McDermott, Harlequins Rugby League, Rikki Sheriffe, Rob Purdham, Super League
