How Hull KR could line up in 2022!

Rovers new signing Lachlan Coote

With the Super League season just 78 days away, Tony Smith and his coaching staff have some key decisions ahead of the round one clash against Matty Peats' Wigan who will  travel over to East Hull for the opening game of Super League 22'. Although Tony Smith is happy with his squad, he has admitted he is still looking for recruits heading into the new campaign.

 “We’ll probably be running into the season with the squad we’ve got now but are we still looking? Yes." Smith told the Hull Daily Mail

Rovers will field a similar team to last seasons squad which saw the Robins just fall short of Old Trafford losing a hostile semi-final in the South of France. Tony Smith has always been a tough nut to crack around team selections, but here's how the Reds could line up come round one.

Full Back - Lachlan Coote

Three-peat winner Coote joins Rovers after a successful stint at St.Helens. The Scottish international's decision to swap Merseyside for Humberside showed a real statement of intent from the club and the long-term goals from CEO Paul Lakin and Smith. Coote will add leadership, game management and experience to Rovers in 2022 and his link up play with the rest of the spine and defensive structuring from full-back, will be vital for Rovers heading into the new year. His goalkicking will also boost the Robins with Abdull and Crooks struggling to convert in 21'. Some say Coote is the signing of 2022, only time will tell if Coote can create the same impact at his new club.

Embed from Getty Images

Right Wing - Ben Crooks

Crooks penned a one-year extension with the Reds at the back end of the 2021' campaign after covering almost every position in the back line after injury's to Ethan Ryan, Greg Minikin and Adam Quinlan. Crooks came under scrutiny during a poor run of form but will be hoping to carry on his try scoring form, adding to his 31 tries in his favorite and most comfortable position. Ethan Ryan will be challenging Crooks for the spot, but with the former Bradford man currently in a cast, expect Crooks to don the number 2 shirt this season and feature again in most games in 2022.

Right Centre - Brad Takairangi

When Rovers' announced the capture of Takairangi, expectations were high with his exciting style of play and NRL experience. 2021 was a mixed bag for the former Parramatta star who struggled to find consistency in his first season and struggled defensively. Like Crooks, Taka found himself in a number a positions but seemed to produce his best performances in the outside-backs and with the 2022 world cup just around the corner, the Cook Island star will be hoping for a better second year in East Hull, before representing the Cooks in what could be his final world cup.

Left Centre - Shaun Kenny-Dowall

The Rovers skipper was sensational in 2021 with his leadership and chemistry with the rest of the left hand side earning the Kiwi stalwart a new deal which will take him into his third year at Craven Park. Nailed on for the left centre role, Kenny-Dowall's marker runs around the ruck and steller defence made him a fans favorite during a heroic campaign. SKD will be 34 come round one, and with his deal running out at the end of 22', the former New Zealand international will be aiming to carry on his form in what could be his final season as a professional.

Left Wing - Ryan Hall

After failing to score a try for two years, Hall crossed the whitewash 16 times for Tony Smith's men in 2021 which saw him pen a extension on his current deal meaning the legendary winger will ply his trade with the Robins until the end of 2023. Hall's yardage in attack frequently set KR on the front foot with the England record holder still causing havoc for Super League defences. Hall turns 34 on Saturday, but the six-time grand final winner will be hoping to impress England boss Shaun Wane, with the hope to represent his country and add to his 36 tries in 38 games.

Stand Off - Mikey Lewis

2021 saw the breakthrough of many young English prospects, none other than Mikey Lewis. Sky Sports pundit Phil Clarke compared Lewis's 2021 season to Benji Marshall's 2005 season with the Wests Tigers with the hull-born half earning a England Knights appearance and a new deal until 2025 with the reds after his breakout year, including a outstanding individual try in KR's 0-19 play-off victory against Warrington. Lewis will face fierce competition with Rowan Milnes during pre-season to cement the stand-off position, but with his off the cuff style of play and blistering pace, Smith will have to find a good reason not to start the future star.

Scrum-Half - Jordan Abdull

Man of Steel nominee Abdull produced his best rugby in 2021 earning him a England call up and a first cap in October. His high balls and strength near the line virtually won certain games for Rovers last season but the main difference was his origination skills and leadership, with Abdull's game management getting KR over the line in tight clashes last season. The partnership of Abdull and Lewis could be the pairing for many years to come and with the addition of Coote, the trio could take Rovers to the next level in 2022 and like many players, will be aiming to be selected for the Wall of White for the world cup.

Prop - Matty Storton

No-nonsense promising forward Storton is everything a modern day prop should be. Initially starting in the back row, the former Bradford man leaves everything on the pitch and his engine in the pack will be key for replacing Castleford bound George Lawler. Only 22, Storton is a star for the future but his maturity and aggressive style of play has earned him the right to be considered for a starting spot. After making 19 appearances for Hull KR last season, Storton will again be a dominant figure in the red and white pack.

Hooker - Matt Parcell

Hull KR's transfer business in Super League has always been questioned, but the swap deal between Parcell and Shaun Lunt in 2019 will go down as one of the best in recent history. The Australian's speed around the ruck and defensive efforts have seen the hooker produce the best Rugby of his career. If Parcell is on form, it normally results in a Rovers victory and his partnership with Jez Litten is up their with the best dummy-half partnership's in the league. If Parcell can have a injury free season and continue his form, don't be surprised to see Rovers tie down the influential Aussie.

Prop - George King

A deal until the end of 2025 was given to the Irish forward after a fantastic 2021. Signing at the end of 2020 from Wakefield, King has taken his game to the next level and has developed into a leading front-rower. Like his partner Storton, King carries hard and has the stamina to produce big minutes in the middle of the park. Both starting props will be aiming to set the platform for the substitutes. If King and Storton can take the brunt of the opening quarter and weather the storm, it will put Rovers in good stead for the final hour.

Right Second Row - Dean Hadley

Mr reliable Hadley was struck down with injury's throughout 2021 with the talented back rower opting to delay his shoulder operation to help Smith's depleted side in their aim for the play offs. His ball skills and attitude both on and off the field is shown in his work ethic and dedication for the cause. On his day Hadley offers Rovers versatility and experience needed in a young squad and the Hull born forward has no intension's of leaving East Hull in a hurry and will be praying for a better 2022.

Left Second Row - Kane Linnett

Another hero from 2021. The NRL winner showed his class and slick style of play last year and created a fantastic partnership with Kenny-Dowall and Abdull. 13 tries in a ever-present season saw Linnett make the Super League dream team for his efforts. Linnett's deal runs out at the end of 2022 but if the Scotsman carries on where he left off, Rovers do have the option to trigger a deal until 2023. The big red machine is getting better each year, and will be trying to go one better next time around.

Loose Forward - Elliot Minchella

After becoming a shining light in a woeful 2020, Minchella aimed to kick on in 21' but was cruelly ruled out of the season suffering an ACL injury in round 2. The forwards road to recovery has been a long, tough slog and is raring to go in 2022. If Minchella can carry on from his standout season, he will be like a new signing for the Robins. His style of play is everything KR missed last season, a ball playing forward who treats each run and tackle like it's his last. January 21st see's Hull KR travel to Dewsbury for their first friendly of the season, a game Minchella will be targeting as he edges back into the starting 13.

SUB - Jez Litten

As brilliant as Jez was in 2021, it seems like the hooker is just getting started. Along with Lewis, Litten has a deal until 2025 with the Robins and has become a vital cog in the side since his 2019 cross-city move. Jez provides a high level of skills and speed off the bench and has outshone his counterpart Parcell in games in 21'. Ever present for the Reds, Litten is enjoying every moment in East Hull and at the age of 23, could be part of the set-up at Craven Park for another decade. Another big season is expected by the talisman.

SUB - Albert Vete

The 115kg Tongan prop forward failed to gain any momentum after fighting with his fitness throughout the year. Vete's form improved as he produced more minutes but has to improve in 2022. Vete is a character and is loved by the fans due to his passion for the club and community, but will be aiming for a big pre-season to make a real impact on Super League in his second year at KR. If used correctly by Smith, Vete can be a real weapon off the bench and stream roll tired defences before the half time and full time whistle.

SUB - Korbin Sims

Copy and Paste from Albert Vete. Sims showed glimpses of what Rovers have lacked for so long but became a liability on the pitch after struggling to stay fit and when the Fijian forward did play he failed to make an impact apart from giving away silly penalties and trying to hard causing Sims to fall down the pecking order. His Rovers career isn't over just yet and after spending time with his son back home in Australia, the hope is Korbin comes back firing and follows in the footsteps of his captain in his second year in East Hull. Like Vete, a positive pre-season under his belt could change Sims's fortunes in Super League and will be hoping to nail down a sub spot and provide a much more positive impact on the field in 22 before he aims to represent Fiji in the world cup.

SUB - Luis Johnson

Wrapping up the 17 is another young forward who stood out in 2021. When Robbie Mulhern swapped with Johnson, many eyebrows were raised but Tony Smiths faith in the Jamaican paid off as Johnson's exciting style of play on the right hand side saw him play 20 games in 21' including a heroic effort in the final few weeks of the season with an abundance of injury's. Unlike Vete and Sims who are out-and-out prop forwards, Johnson offers a utility role off the bench with the former Warrington man having the ability to play any position in the pack as he looks to represent the Reggae Warriors in England come October. New signings Greg Richards, Frankie Halton and Tom Garrett will provide a test for Johnson in the early stages the season, but like so many of the players under Tony Smith, Johnson has age on his side and is only getting started in the game.

Joe Appleyard

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Rovers announce pre-season fixtures!

 

(Rowan Milnes and Elliot Minchella are back for pre-season)

Hull Kingston Rovers have announced two pre-season friendly’s leading up to their 2022 Super League campaign.

The 2021 semi-finalists have announced they will take on championship outfit Dewsbury Rams and Super League rivals Huddersfield giants in preparation for the new season.

First up for Tony Smith’s men is a trip is a 64 mile trip down the M62 to take on Dewsbury at the Tetley’s Stadium in West Yorkshire, a game which could see new robin, Tom Garratt line up against his old side in his first game representing the red and white of Hull KR. A cold, January Friday night under the lights is instore for the travelling East Hull outfit which may be an opportunity for Smith, his coaching staff and the fans who make the trip over to see their young guns and new signings in action. Along with Garrett, new boys Frankie Halton, Greg Richards and Sam Wood will be expected to play big minutes to impress their new employers against a team who struggled in 2021, finishing 10th in the Betfred Championship with a 0.405% win percentage. The tie will also be a chance for Elliot Minchella to play his first game since April 2021 after suffering a cruel ACL injury away to the champions St Helens. Minchella was tipped for international honors’ after a stellar covid hit, lackluster 2020 campaign for the robins. The beauty of this tie is Elliot can return to the pitch without any fuss or hype, a pre-season friendly against a lower opposition is a perfect way to introduce yourself back into the fold, his rehab and dedication shows what the vice-captain is all about and the reds will hope to see the loose-forward plenty of times next season to make up for lost time. Expect Rovers to predominantly use fringe players and those expected to feature in the reserve system in 2022, alongside regular first teamers including Will Maher, Jimmy Keinhorst and Will Dagger.

Former Robin Owen Harrison will look to make an impact in this trial match after becoming surplus to requirements at Hull College Craven Park which saw him released after three seasons in the first team set up. Promising full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e and rovers youngsters Connor Moore, Max Kirkbright and Daniel Okoro will also be raring to battle with the rams alongside current first teamers Will Tate, Tom Whur and Charlie Cavanaugh, and with the likely absence of Matt Parcell for pre-season, hooker Cavanaugh has a great chance to work with fellow hull born dummy-half Jez Litten and prove he is ready to make the step up to the first team side. The last time the two teams met was back in 2017 when Rovers recorded two thumping victory’s over the rams, which saw the reds beat Dewsbury 10-48 and 64-11 in the championship campaign that year.

A week later will see Rovers return to Craven Park to face Ian Watson’s Huddersfield side in their second and final pre-season clash which may see Fartown new boys Chris Hill , Tui Lolohea, Theo Fages and Nathan Mason representing the Claret and Gold for the first time. Both teams will be expected to name their strongest available squads with the test being the final chance to blow off the winter cobwebs before the regular season starts in February. Hull KR have started pre-season with key players Lachlan Coote, Matt Parcell, Matty Storton, Ben Crooks, Dean Hadley and most recently Ethan Ryan join the “rehab club” after all going under the knife in the post-season.

Smith revealed to the Hull Daily Mail ““They’re all on track pretty much”

Smith is hopeful all 6 will be ready for round one but admits the majority of the group will miss both pre-season clashes. Coote, Storton and Ryan are the most likely to feature against the Giants. Additionally, the game will see exciting England Knights’ half-back partners, Will Pryce and Mikey Lewis against each other as they both build on their respective breakout years which saw the pair line up for the Knights in the 56-4 victory over the Reggae Warriors in Castleford. New recruit Sam Wood swapped Huddersfield for East Hull in the off-season and the outside-back will be keen to face off against his former side and cemente a place on the robins right-hand side with combinations that will be put together in a game situation for the first time which should see the likes of SKD, Ryan Hall, Kane Linnett and England international Jordan Abdull back in the fold for KR. Both games will give a good indication of the squad depth and recruitment of the reds and both Dewsbury and Huddersfield will provide two stern tests in preparation of a important 2022 for Rovers.

Pre-season is pre-season, as long as Rovers come out the otherside with no injury’s and a platform to build on, then Smith and the East Hull faithful will be happy and with a ten day warm weather camp planned in December, Rovers will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field and kick on after defying the odds in 2021 with the aim to go one better this time around.

Joe Appleyard

First batch of Hull KR players return for Pre-Season!

 Hull KR youngsters Moore, Kirkbright and Okoro (image HKR twitter)

The long, cold hard slog of pre-season has begun today in East Hull as the first batch of players return to Hull College Craven Park this morning to start off the 2022 schedule for the Robins. Long term absentee Elliot Minchella and emerging front rower Matty Storton have already started their preparations with Storton bagging a few more weeks of extra training helping Minchella in the final stages of his rehab after a long year out with a ACL injury sustained in March 2021, a injury that ruled him out for the entire campaign. Both Storton and Minchella will be vital in the pack for Rovers in 22' as the reds enter the new season full of optimism after reaching the semi-finals of super league last time around. 

Another player returning today is Ethan Ryan, the former Bradford winger showed glimpses of brilliance in both attack and defence last season including a cracking try against Wigan and a last ditch effort on the hooter against Huddersfield which saw the robins pick up their first victory of 2021, but two wrist injury's, ironically on different arms saw the winger's appearances limited but the 25 year old will be hoping for a injury free campaign as he looks to cement the right hand wing spot, battling it out with Ben Crooks for the number 2 jersey.

New signings Greg Richards and Tom Garratt also start their season this morning with the duo making the step up into super league after leaving London and Dewsbury respectively to link up with Rovers. Both will be looking to nail down a role in the front row this season with the hope of repaying Tony Smith for the chance to play in the top tier of Rugby League. I remember Richards from his days at St Helens and came up against him in our academy days, a strong no-nonsense prop who does all the hard work which goes unnoticed in the sport and Greg will be ready and raring to start day 1 and bag a big pre-season under his belt before the season kicks off. Garrett could be a hidden gem found by Smith and Mcguire, the towering 6ft 5 forward impressed the recruitment team in East Hull with the reds paying a transfer fee for the services of Garrett from the rams for the next two-seasons. Smith described Garrett when the news broke out of the transfer by saying "He's a big, strong, ambitious young man with some maturity. Probably in his prime for a prop" Tom will be looking forward to a full-time pre-season environment after sweeping up at the Dewsbury awards night last month and picking up man of the match on most occasions for the West Yorkshire club, keep an eye our for Richards and Garrett.

Promising full-back Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e will return for pre-season in his first full campaign as a Robin. Rovers swooped in for PLT back in August which saw the 18-year-old return to Keighley on loan until the end of 2021. PLT has trained with the first team on a weekly basis before so the electric back has already experienced working under TS, but with the signings of Lachlan Coote and the retention of Will Dagger, I expect PLT to feature heavily in the reserve system for the next few seasons which will maybe see him head out on loan throughout the year to gain vital experience in the men's game as he develops both physically and mentally in the game of Rugby League.

Academy starlets Connor Moore, Max Kirkbright and Daniel Okoro (pictured above) all start their journey as professional Rugby League players today as the trio step up from the under 19's system after all signing two-year deals with the first team after impressing for Jason Netherton's men. Moore and Okoro ply their trade in the front row and have been described as hardworking forwards. The duo will be expected to learn from the likes of George King, Albert Vete and Korbin Sims as they transition into the full time system and like PLT, will be hoping for a successful reserve campaign which again, may see the two drop into league one or the championship to battle down the middle and play against some very physical outfits. Outside-back Max Kirkbright has been praised for his attitude on and off the pitch which see's him promoted to the senior team for 2022. Working with the likes of captain SKD and experienced outside backs such as Ryan Hall and Ben Crooks and prolific try scoring assistant coach David Hodgson, the young centre is in good hands as he looks to develop his game. All three are in the long term project for Hull KR and I hope to see them play plenty of Rugby in 2022 either for the second team here at Rovers, or on loan gaining vital experience. 

Finally, up and coming first teamers Tom Whur, Charlie Cavanaugh and Will Tate complete the first batch of players returning today. 2021 saw Whur and Tate head out to Rochdale on loan, a move with benefitted both players. Tate did manage to take his chance when the injury crisis hit the robins which saw him feature in the final 3 games of the season including the heroic 0-19 victory against Warrington and the semi-final defeat in France. When Brad Takairangi left the field in Warrington for a HIA, Tate stepped up in Lancashire and although he only featured for a limited amount of time, the up and coming youngster kept the ship steady until Taka was ready to return to the game. Cavanaugh featured for the 19's last season with the Hooker leading from the front as the dominant number 9 in the academy. Game time will be limited due to the impact Parcell and Litten have on the squad, but CC will look to emulate Jez in the next few seasons as another exciting Hull born Hooker playing for his hometown club. Like most players starting pre-season today, all 3 will be vital for our reserve campaign and will look for game time wherever they can take it in 2022, before their time comes in years to come. 

The remaining first team members return next week which will see the training intensify and the demand on the players increase over the winter period. This week I imagine the aim is for the players to blow off some cobwebs and identify the personal plans for each individual going into 2022. Lets hope for a injury free off-season as we look forward to the return on the robins next season. Good luck to all starting today, enjoy the daunting Watt Bike and Hill sessions and give everything in all you do. Fitness can play a huge part in a successful team, if rovers can outmatch their opponents stamina and intesity levels, especially in the middle of the park, the likes of Lewis, Abdull, Parcell, Coote and Litten can cause havoc against a tiring pack which we saw last season with rovers playing their best Rugby when on the front foot and dominating games. 2022 has official kicked off for Hull Kingston Rovers. 

Joe Appleyard

Cornwall Rugby League - Will it last?

Cornwall RL - (BBC Sport)

Expansion in the world of Rugby League in the northern hemisphere has always been a touchy subject with mixed opinions from fans, clubs, players and owners. We've seen expansion teams such as Paris, Oxford, Hemel Stags, Celtic Crusaders and most recently Toronto Wolfpack come and go in the world of Rugby League after entering the abyss due to several reasons including bankruptcy, lack of support and most recently the covid-19 pandemic. Back in March 2019, it was announced that a consortium from Canada, led by Wolfpack owner Eric Perez who had set the pathway for the rise of the pack, had purchased Hemel's license to run a second Canadian team in the British leagues, a team that would be later announced as "Ottawa Aces. Due to the pandemic, like most things, the Aces struggled to progress and meet the requirements to join the league in 2021 and in the same month we saw the Toronto team denied access back into Super League by the RFL and other clubs, the capital city team delayed their inaugural campaign until 2022. New high profile signings for the aces such as Tom Gilmore, Matty Fozard, Louis Jouffret, Dec O’Donnell and Sam Wilde, were allowed to join other clubs for the 2021 season with the hope that former Catalan and current France coach Laurent Frayssinous lined up to take the hot seat in O-Town.

Last month we found out that the latest expansion team had made the decision to relocate to the UK with the travelling and yearly expenditure leading Perez to abandon his vision of becoming the second Canadian-based club to join the English rugby league structure. With speculations of a new location flying around social media and the sporting press, we finally found out on November 2nd that Cornwall would have its first ever professional Rugby League team, a county with roots firmly invested in the 15 man game rather then the 13. The club, to be known as Cornwall RLFC will be based at the Memorial Ground, home to Cornwall’s oldest rugby union club Penryn.

Like most announcements in Rugby League, the news was met with immediate criticism with the main topic been the cost of travel. With the Cornish team starting off in League one, the majority of their opposition will be part-time, working lads and with the third tier predominantly playing on a Sunday at 3pm, it will be a tight and short turn around for the players who may not return home until the early hours of Monday morning when they will start work a few hours later.  Keighley have the longest commute with a 14 hour, 788-mile round trip facing the Cougars in 2022, that is of course if the journey is smooth with no traffic or diversions, something not likely with the British Motorway system! They will be joined in league one with the two Welsh clubs, West Wales Raiders and North Wales, while London Skolars, Coventry Bears and Doncaster are also outside the traditional "M62 corridor" which is so heavily associated with the sport as red and white rose outfits Oldham, Swinton, Rochdale and Hunslet complete the competition for 2022.

@TheGameCaller, a broadcasting journalist within the sport has already stated on Twitter that the club owners are demanding the decision to allow Cornwall into the league to be put to a council vote as recently it has emerged that The RFL did not consult or engage with any of the clubs in league one to admit Eric Perez's new club into the tier. The news comes after the league one clubs have seen their central funding cut from £62,000 to a disgusting and mediocre £16,000 and with clubs already struggling to kick start their finances after the past few seasons, the cut is sure to damage to lower leagues even more.  

I myself believe that this could be a good move for the sport, but after so many failed attempts and shoddy decisions been made by the governing body, it gives me no hope for the Cornish team as already, the moaning and excuses for teams not to travel has already started one day after the announcement. Let's say the cost of a coach to Cornwall including staff and players could cost up to £3000, its only once a year and the key here is to look how other sports deal with long distance travel. As Rugby League isn't blessed with the riches of the premier league and the Union top divisions, I have looked into the lower leagues of football and saw leagues that include teams from England and the Isle of Guernsey, and leagues which include teams from the bottom of England facing teams from the North East. Rugby Union also has these in the lower leagues with Plymouth Albion, a team relatively close to Cornwall RLFC, facing trips up to Darlington, Leeds and Sale (Manchester) throughout their season which shows the process and travelling can be done. 

As a sport we need to move forward and I hope the Cornish fans can catch the Rugby League bug. Rugby union is Cornwall's most popular spectator sport with a large following. There are plenty of teams based around the county including Cornish Pirates and Falmouth RU teams that accumulate around 3500 supporters between them (pre pandemic), if only a third of these supporters give Rugby League a go, it would already see Cornwall RL have more supporters and a larger attendance then most teams in the lower divisions of league. The only issue with this is that even though participation levels are high with plenty of clubs, professional sport is hardly non-existent in the area so will be a new challenge facing Cornwall.

High expectations and a long term vision have already been set by the club with Perez telling BBC Sport that "This is a long-term project, so how people feel about it on day one is of little consequence, It's how they feel about it in 10 years that will tell the story. In 10 years if they say this Cornwall thing is great, we've done the job. If they say I feel the same way about as I did on day one - negative - we haven't done the job. If it works out, we'll be right and if it doesn't then we'll be wrong. But I don't think we'll be wrong." The CEO also stated that "There are fewer sporting distractions during rugby league's peak summer months and there is an established rugby union tradition in the south west - once you can handle an oval ball, you're pretty much there," a statement i agree with. With Cornwall been a high profile tourist destination, especially during the summer holidays, if the RFL could work with the teams to provide the Kernow's with Saturday afternoon home games in the peak of summer, it could open a whole new target audience to the world of Rugby League, this been said, it is the RFL we are talking about so I highly doubt any sensible and ethical decisions will be make with the timings and dates of the league on fixtures. 

With Premier Sports showing one live game a week in the Championship, the company would be fools not to cover the Cornish team this season which will give the newbies the TV and social media exposure they desperately need to gain support and kick on as a dominant force in the game. Away fans will also be crucial to the development of the game, especially if the club manages to gain promotion to the championship and eventually the Super League which is their long term goal, maybe a free pasty on entry........

But with any stakeholders in the club, its seen as a poorly thought out call which makes the game a laughing stock and with no coach or players announced for 2022, let's hope we get to see the team bringing Cornish born players though the system with over 25 men's RU teams already based in the county, Perez will have plenty of opportunity's to scout the area and persuade the top players to cross the codes. We will wait and see how Cornwall RLFC do in the distant future, but as a fan of a team in Super League, I hope to see this adventure pay off and expand our wonderful game, but Perez, the county and the team have a huge and challenging journey ahead of them. 

Joe Appleyard