Mark Applegarth explains Ata Hingano’s York Knights absence

Hingano was absent from York’s impressive 58-8 victory over Hunslet last Sunday, after picking up an AC joint injury in the Knights’ 36-6 win at London Broncos.

He would go on to be replaced by Paul McShane in the halves alongside captain Liam Harris, whilst Sam Cook slotted in at hooker.

Applegarth had confirmed that Hingano had faced little difficulty with the injury and that he would be available for the Knights’ contest with Hunslet; but he was not included in the matchday squad.

That was a decision on Applegarth’s part, despite pushback from Hingano, with the York Head Coach cautious to avoid any further injury.

“Everyone, touch wood, seems to have come through alright,” Applegarth reported.

“We rotated one or two as well so they are back in contention.

“Unless we get any injuries in training, it should be pretty much as we were before Hunslet to choose from.

“Ata was good to go on Sunday, it was more me being a little bit more cautious and giving it a week to settle down.

“He was filthy that wasn’t chosen to play on Sunday if I am honest, as you can imagine he wanted in on the action.

“Ata will be back in contention, he could have gone back on in that London game, but again it was just me overprotecting him.

“He was running water and was still around the lads last week, so as long as we get through training this week, I think that both teams won’t be far off having a decent amount of their top liners to pick from.

“It’s a welcome selection headache.”

Hingano’s return does bring something of a selection headache for Applegarth, who admitted to being impressed by the recent impact of McShane, Cook and Jacques O’Neill, with the latter recently taking a stint out of rugby.

Ben Jones-Bishop, who scored four tries last Sunday, will be absent for the semi-final against Bradford Bulls. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Taylor Pemberton also came into the Knights boss’ thoughts, but Applegarth is just pleased to have so many fit bodies at this stage in the Betfred Championship campaign.

He added: “I think that Macca [McShane] does a cracking job when we throw him out there as well, but it also allowed me to play Cooky and Jacques [O’Neill].

“As I said, I thought that Taylor was unlucky to not get a game but that’s the depth that we have got in those positions at the moment.

“Long may that continue, because I know that there will be other times when we don’t have that luxury.

“He [O’Neill] looked more like Jacques before the break he had from the game.

“He gets after it and his passing service from the nine is lovely, he’s starting to get that touch back, that deception.

“He’s a little mongrel in defence too when he goes hunting people.

“He showed a lot of signs of the Jacques O’Neill that we know.”

One confirmed change that Applegarth will be forced into will be finding a replacement for is with Ben Jones-Bishop, who is cup-tied in the 1895 Cup.

It comes at a disappointing time after Jones-Bishop stood out last Sunday, scoring four tries against Hunslet.

Fortunately for Applegarth, he believes that he has an out-and-out replacement in the form of Joe Brown.

Applegarth explained: “With Ben Jones-Bishop being cup-tied, the obvious replacement there would be Browny jumping in at that right-wing.

“That will be the plan if everything goes in training how we want.

“If everyone stays fit, then the week after, with Bish being available too, that’s when the fun will start in terms of selection.”