Travis Burns saw his fellow-countryman and mentor sacked this month but it hasn't diminished his determination to force Hull KR into the Super League play-offs.
After arriving at the club from Penrith Panthers last year, Burns quickly became an influential player under the tuition of fellow-Aussie Craig Sandercock.
The Queensland-born half back helped Hull KR clinch the Super League's eighth and final play-off spot last season and he is desperate to repeat the feat this time around.
Since Sandercock was sacked earlier this month, a crushing 40-10 victory over table-toppers St Helens was followed by defeat at Leeds Rhinos on Friday - scoreless at half-time, Leeds ran away to a 30-6 victory after the break.
Now ninth in the table, Hull KR welcome Salford Red Devils on Sunday and with new boss Chris Chester at the helm, Burns is preparing for a do-or-die run-in.
"It was disappointing and I was very close to him (Sandercock) but that is the way the club has gone," said the 30-year-old.
"It doesn't change the way that I am going to play on the field so I am just going to move on.
"We need to start winning - we don't want to be in a position where we are waiting for results.
"It would be nice to not be worrying about must-win games but that is the position we have put ourselves in. The ball is in our court to try and make the top eight.
- Bad attitiude -
"To keep Leeds out for so long was a great effort but we just dropped too much ball. When you drop that much ball against Leeds they are going to make you pay for it.
"Salford have got better and better as the year has gone on. Of course Rangi Chase is a great ball player and Kevin Locke.
"They are going to be tough and we know that if we turn up with a bad attitude, they are going to roll us over."
Third-placed Wigan Warriors host Hull FC on Friday night and they will head into the game buoyed by the news that former North Queensland Cowboys full back Matty Bowen has signed a one-year contract extension at the DW Stadium.
"I am very happy to stay for another year," said the 32-year-old. "My family is enjoying it over here, we love the town. The club have a great coach in Waney (Sean Wane) and great bunch of boys, I couldn't be happier."
And Denny Solomona has found his way out of already-relegated London Broncos, securing a move to Castleford Tigers ahead of the new season.
Solomona, who moved to England from Melbourne Storm this year, has scored nine tries in 17 matches for the winless Broncos this season.
The 20-year-old revealed Australian utility back Luke Dorn, who returns to the Castleford squad for their trip to Leeds on Thursday, played a part in the deal.
"The way the club is run attracted me," he said. "Castleford have a good fan base, and they are regarded as the loudest in the competition by some, so it is good to get fans behind you when you play.
"I spoke to Luke Dorn and he said the club was run well, so that attracted me there, too. Everyone is professional and does their job, which is what you want."
Fixtures unless stated)
Thursday July 17 (1900 GMT)
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers
Friday July 18 (1900 GMT)
Widnes Vikings v Warrington Wolves
Wigan Warriors v Hull FC
Saturday July 19
London Broncos v St Helens (1400 GMT)
Catalan Dragons v Wakefield Wildcats (1600 GMT)
Sunday July 20 (1400 GMT)
Huddersfield Giants v Bradford Bulls
Hull KR v Salford Red Devils
Source: AFP
