Hull KR's disappointing downturn draws an unwanted cloud that can be cleared with clarity

In equal measure, it is astonishing and frightening how quickly things can change in sport.

Ten days ago, Hull KR had set their sights on breaking their Super League record and reaching seven straight wins. They had a semi-final on the horizon and were chasing a place in Super League's top four.

And here we are now, two dismal defeats and paltry performances later, Rovers are out of the cup and have mustered up four points in 160 minutes. To describe two bad performances as a collapse would be an overreaction and in isolation you could make excuses for both displays.

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But ultimately the manner of the losses has been concerning and a rather drastic decline. Now, some are linking it to Tony Smith's announcement that he will be leaving the club, something of an inevitability given the close proximity of the two. It was inevitable that once Rovers suffered a few disappointing results that such a theory would be created, such was the suddenness and unexpectedness of the news. That notion is somewhat assumptions, but even the least cynical will wonder if there is a link.

Only the players could confirm if it has been a distraction. Meanwhile, Tony Smith is the only person on the planet who could tell you if the timing was intentional to get a reaction with the semi-final in mind. From the outside looking in, it didn't come across that way, not for one second. If that was his motivation, it has clearly backfired.

Whether you agree with the way the announcement was handled or not, Smith was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. Had he delayed his decision or kept it a secret he would have stopped the club from planning for the