Hull KR plant flag in Hull FC's backyard with ultimate statement

The World Club Challenge unfolded amid a sea of red and white, the noise overwhelming Brisbane Broncos as the NRL champions danced to KR's tune.

Rovers did not just complete the set of trophies. They planted their flag in their rivals’ backyard – and left it there.

After witnessing their foes lift the ultimate prize on home turf, Hull FC fans may never see the MKM Stadium the same way again.

It was the sweetest of all achievements for the Robins, a club that have been to the brink and back in the modern era.

Even as recently as 2017, KR were in the Championship. In 2020, they collected Super League's wooden spoon.

That they now hold every trophy is a victory not just for Rovers but any club with a dream – no matter how far-fetched.

Willie Peters' all-conquering team had to survive an almighty scare to hold off the comeback kings – perhaps the most fitting way for a club built on sweat and determination to claim the world title.

"The people of East Hull don't get things easy," said Peters after his side's epic 30-24 victory.

"We spoke before the game about the players working their backsides off, similar to how the people of East Hull live every day. They're working class.

"I actually told the players at half-time that I was proud of them. You shouldn't say that at half-time – you should wait.

"We played the same way in the second half but we were challenged and there was a lot thrown at us.

"With 10 minutes to go when it's 30-20, I don't know what the live betting would have been but it could have possibly swung in their favour because of the way they were coming home and the way they can play.

"We had to fight. I'm really, really proud of them."

In front of a stadium record attendance of 24,600 for a club game, Hull KR and Brisbane produced an instant classic in the clash of champions.

Rovers – uncharacteristically ragged in their Super League opener at York Knights seven days earlier – caught the Broncos cold in every sense of the word to leave their fans in dreamland on their World Club Challenge debut.

In wintry conditions, a world away from the summer sun of Brisbane, the Robins romped into an 18-0 lead inside 22 minutes.

Tom Amone announced himself to the KR faithful with a debut try, giving Peters' men the confidence to strike again through Elliot Minchella and Joe Burgess.

All three tries could be traced back to Brisbane errors. Whereas Rovers warmed up with a bruising battle against York, the Broncos were playing their first game of the year.

For all their early generosity, the Australian giants are a dangerous team when all appears lost.

They gave a glimpse of what was to come in the closing stages of the first half, hitting back through Gehamat Shibasaki amid a flurry of line breaks.

Rovers were forced into a reshuffle following the loss of Arthur Mourgue to a pec injury and needed the half-time hooter.

The storm appeared to be over when Oliver Gildart and Peta Hiku crossed after the interval – but Brisbane have a history of improbable comebacks.

After winning the NRL title thanks to a string of incredible recoveries, the Broncos threatened to break KR hearts in a madcap finale that had shades of the 2005 World Club Challenge between Leeds Rhinos and Canterbury Bulldogs.

Michael Maguire's side scored three tries in five minutes to transform the mood inside the MKM Stadium. In the blink of an eye, joyous scenes had been replaced by a disbelieving sense of dread.

All the momentum was with Brisbane and they had 13 minutes to find two more scores, which felt eminently possible as they cut KR open at will.

From there, Rovers embodied the spirit of their local community to claw their way over the line, as Peters put it. It wasn't pretty – typified by two Mikey Lewis brain fades – but they limited the rampant Broncos to a solitary Kotoni Staggs try in the dying embers of a titanic tussle.

When the going got tough and the seconds felt like minutes, the Robins found a way.

Hull KR went 40 years without a major trophy. In just over six months, they have claimed four.

There is no time to rest, however, with a Las Vegas showdown against Leeds looming.

"I walk in the gym now, see the photos of what we've achieved and am in awe of the players," said Peters.

"We've created some more history here but it's really important that we crack on to next week. Leeds are a quality team.

"The players will have a couple of days to enjoy themselves and we'll be ready to go to Vegas on Sunday."

Hull KR's triumph was more than a club victory – it was another shot in the arm for Super League. For the third time in three meetings, the champions from these shores had toppled their NRL counterparts.

And yet the competition, despite the disparity in financial resources, continues to be derided by critics Down Under, in part because of England's meek performances in the recent Ashes.

On an electric night that stirred the senses, Peters struck a measured tone when quizzed about the topic.

"This is a one-off game and they're playing in our conditions," said the Australian. "We'd need to play them over there and do it again.

"I'm not getting carried away in terms of making massive statements about what we'd do over there in that competition.

"We've got a really, really good product here and we've got a responsibility to show that again next week."