Elliot Minchella: Ready to test ourselves against the best

Hull KR’s captain Elliot Minchella is buzzing ahead of Thursday’s World Club Challenge clash with the Brisbane Broncos.

It’s an opportunity for the treble-winners to showcase themselves against the best in the world as they welcome the NRL Premiers to their city.

This will be the first ever World Club Challenge to take place in Hull and the Robins are hoping it’s a WCC debut to remember.

“I’m very excited for Thursday and it’s a massive privilege,” Minchella said. “To be involved in this game and to represent Hull as a city on this stage, but also the Super League against the NRL’s best team, is great.

“It comes with huge responsibility but one that I’m really looking forward to.

“It’s a very similar feel to a Grand Final or Challenge week, and they have been great weeks for us in the past, so we’re hoping that this one is another one.

“We understand the task ahead of us is a big one, however, but everyone is excited for it.

“These are the games I watched as a kid – watching the World Club Challenges from yesteryear – and dreaming of being involved in it one day.

“And here we are, and I want to come out on the winning side.”

The Super League sides have been successful in the last two World Club Challenges, with both St Helens and Wigan Warriors doing the competition proud in 2023 and 2024.

The Robins now have a chance to continue that run by making it three in a row to Super League on Thursday, with Minchella embracing the challenge.

After all, he's always lived by the motto of “pressure is a privilege.”

“We’re representing the whole of the UK, so we need to put our best foot forward and go after them to the best of our ability.

“That needs to come out on the big stage. It's going be pretty hostile on Thursday but we’ll have to be a tough team to break down, and as players we will need to nail all those effort areas.

“Both teams will be wanting to do anything it takes to win. It’s very unique to play a team that isn’t in your competition and playing against people you aren’t used to.

“You have to do your homework.”

Whilst the hype is building for Thursday’s occasion, admittedly there’s going to be a strange sensation when Hull KR take to the field at the home of their nearest and dearest Hull FC.

And although Minchella admits it may feel unusual to play hosts at their rivals’ stadium, he insisted it’s going to be an all-round special occasion playing in front of a full house that will allow the whole community as well as travelling fans to witness rugby league in Hull on a world stage:

“It’s very strange to be honest. Even seeing the signage outside and in the tunnel is a little bit surreal. And the changing rooms!

“But it’s real and it’s happening and we’re really grateful that we’re able to play here. It enables so many people in Hull to come and watch the game – over 20,000 people are going to be here.

“It’ll be our home for the night and hopefully we can get the job done.”

The Robins captain is equally as focused on his team being able to test themselves against the world’s best, and is raring to go:

“I’m looking forward to going up against Brisbane as a whole, but I think in particular the forward pack.

“I know our forwards are looking forward to going up against theirs. Most games in rugby league are won in the middle and then the backs decided by how many and it’ll be no different on Thursday night.

“We’re testing ourselves against the best out there so I’m looking forward to the physical battle of the game and just embracing that.

“We’ve got to stop them, but we want to be confident that we can make them try and stop us too.”

Hull KR will wear a special limited-edition shirt on Thursday night, inspired by famous game against Australian opposition from the 1983/84 season – over 40 years ago.

This was the last time Hull KR played a team from Australia, winning 8-6 against Queensland at Craven Park.

For Minchella, wearing the shirt is an honour:

“I’m ready to pull the shirt on – it’s going to be a special shirt for our players to wear as a nod to our history.

“You never forget your history; it’s in the books forever. For us to be able to represent those guys and our club and our community wearing that shirt is great.

“Hopefully people are proud to see us wear that and we can do people proud and make our own history as the 2026 team.

“I’m just excited for the whole thing.”

Finally, Minchella recognised the magnitude of their match with Brisbane Broncos and hopes his team will be able to deliver on the night.

After all, winning the World Club Challenge would be the pinnacle, right? And a testament to all the hard work and legacy this Robins team are trying to create.

While there's more than just silverware at stake, Minchella is hungry for another trophy to add to their collection:

“This is a reward of what we achieved last year. We want to be proud come the final whistle.

“You look at the Bradford, Leeds, St Helens and Wigan teams that have gone and won the World Club Challenge, and we all remember them and we want to be one of those teams remembered for winning this game.

“They’re remembered for years to come, and I want to be part of a team that wins. I experienced that last year, we want to win this year, and this is the first opportunity to go win some silverware in 2026.

“Winning silverware in 2026 felt great, so I want another piece of it.”

The 2026 Betfred World Club Challenge is a sell-out clash between current Super League Champions Hull KR and NRL Premiers Brisbane Broncos, which will take place on Thursday 19 February at the MKM Stadium (K.O. 7.30pm). 

This hotly-anticipated event will be available to watch live on BBC Three, Sky Sports and SuperLeague+.