Shaun Kenny-Dowall says Hull rival Carlos Tuimavave sought his captaincy advice
They share beers, have a big family connection and enjoy a healthy respect for one another.
But Hull KR captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall knows the gloves are off with Hull FC counterpart Carlos Tuimavave on Sunday. The fierce derby rivalry is reignited at Craven Park with both sides in desperate need of a victory to boost hopes of making the play-offs. And Kenny-Dowall, 35, is intent on backing up Good Friday’s stunning 40-0 humiliation of Hull.
But he has also revealed how he and fellow New Zealander Tuimavave have become pals far from home in the East Yorkshire city. Ex-Kiwi international Kenny-Dowall said: “We have a few beers, we catch up and talk and our partners are close friends. They hang out quite a lot. So we do get together when there’s a birthday on or something.
"We have a mutual respect for each other, both coming from New Zealand. I didn’t know Carlos back home. But I followed his career and if you’re from New Zealand you definitely have those connections and roots in common.”
Veteran Kenny-Dowall - who retires at the end of this season - has been Rovers’ skipper for the last three years. And he explained how Tuimavave, 31, came to him for advice after taking over the Hull captaincy this term. Ex-Sydney Roosters star Kenny-Dowall revealed: “We had a good chat earlier in the season.
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“He asked what sort of things you do, how do you enjoy it, how do you approach captaincy from a personal perspective? I just told him to do his thing, just to be himself. He’s obviously a natural leader. Don’t make too much out of it, put your own style on it and go for it. “I told him it was a good opportunity for him.”
Hull KR's Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Stephen Gaunt/Focus Images Ltd)The pair could directly line-up against each other in the centre on Sunday afternoon. But most eyes will be on Hull boss Tony Smith - who makes his first return to Craven Park since being sacked as KR chief 12 months ago. What sort of ‘welcome’ does Kenny-Dowall expect his former coach, who brought him to the UK from Newcastle Knights, will receive?
He insisted: “I'm not too sure actually. It’s not something we’re thinking about or talking about as a group. I’m sure the fans will let him know where he is for sure!”
Rovers are four points in front of Hull but Kenny-Dowall expects their opponents to be much improved from that Easter debacle. He said: “They are definitely playing a better style of rugby than when we played them last time. But we’re just worrying about what we can control and doing the things we know we do well when we’re playing at our best.
"We had a good look at them, what their threats are and how they’re moving the ball about a bit more. “They know what they’re doing as a team now so we’ve done our homework and we’ll go about stopping. It’s a very tight competition and these are the games you need to be winning to put yourself in the picture at the end of the season.”
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