Ryan Hall says Hull KR have to "live with" Tony Smith's surprise decision

Prolific winger Ryan Hall says Hull KR just “have to live with” Tony Smith’s shock decision - and keep powering on.

They host Wakefield on Saturday seeking a sixth straight win. But the Robins are still reeling from head coach Smith’s surprise announcement he will be leaving at the end of the season. He told unsuspecting players minutes before revealing his decision to the media on Wednesday.

England star Hall, who also worked under Smith for Leeds and the national side, said: “We were a bit shocked but that’s sport isn’t it? Always expect the unexpected. Things happen like that in sport.

“Things are going well in the team at the moment. We just have to live with it and move on at the end of the season. But let’s make the most of it while he’s still in charge and get the best out of us while he can.”

Smith has clearly helped transform the Robins’ fortunes over the last three years but hinted at disagreements with chief executive Paul Lakin as a reason behind his decision.

On the field, they’re flying having reached the Super League semi-finals for the first time last term and they face Huddersfield in a fortnight for a place in the Challenge Cup final.

Brad Takairangi, meanwhile, is in KR’s 21-man squad on Saturday for the first time since receiving a 12-month suspended jail sentence. The ex-New Zealand centre, 32, crashed into a police car as he drove the wrong way on a dual carriageway while drunk.

Asked what Takairangi’s frame of mind is like, Hall said: “Obviously, he’s got a bit going on in his personal life and he’s working on that. That’s got to be respected. You can’t expect him just to drop all stuff off the field to concentrate on rugby again.

“So it's going to take him some time to get back to what he can do.