Hull KR ready to bounce back and prove themselves on world stage

Even the best teams have setbacks – what defines them is what happens next.

Hull KR swept the board last year on their way to the treble, only to fall flat against York Knights in the first game of their Super League title defence.

A week out from the World Club Challenge – arguably the biggest game in the club's history – it was far from auspicious.

But after enjoying unprecedented success, it could be just the jolt Elliot Minchella and the rest of the Robins needed to prime them for the NRL champions.

"I'd like to think so," said Minchella ahead of the MKM Stadium showdown with Brisbane Broncos. "We'll find out on Thursday.

"We got beat by the better team. We were ill-disciplined, didn't do what we said we wanted to do and York beat us fair and square.

"For me, that's in the past but you've got to learn from it. If you don't learn from it, you're doing something wrong.

"There have been a few honest conversations but we're a very honest group and can have those direct conversations. Once that door shuts, you leave it in the room and move on to the next job."

This is not new territory for Rovers, a team that have overcome setbacks throughout Willie Peters' reign.

The Robins lost both major finals before breaking their 40-year trophy drought in style in 2025.

But the World Club Challenge is a step into the unknown for Hull KR, a first in the club's long and proud history.

"We're representing the Super League competition," said Minchella. "It's not a weight on our shoulders; we're embracing it.

"It comes with having success last year. It's about focusing on your job and controlling what you can control.

"I've watched Wigan's performance in 2024, and St Helens went to Australia and won. We want to be a team that's remembered for winning – nobody remembers the team that loses.

"We want to be the Hull KR team that wins. Brisbane are a very good team and we respect what they've done – but they're not unbeatable."

The Broncos, who booked their place in the clash of champions by defeating Melbourne Storm in an epic NRL Grand Final, have won the World Club Challenge twice but not since 1997.

Their most recent defeats to St Helens are part of the fixture's rich tapestry.

"I'm feeling very privileged that we get to play our part in this game," added Minchella.

"Growing up, watching other teams represent Super League against the best from the NRL, I just thought: 'How cool is that?'

"I've been envious of people who've played in it. At one point I probably never thought I'd be playing in a World Club Challenge – but it's a reward for what we achieved last year. I'm embracing it."

Brisbane arrived on these shores with a squad packed with star quality, from livewire full-back Reece Walsh to powerhouse forward Payne Haas.

But KR's treble success was no fluke; they, too, boast players of the highest calibre.

In Jez Litten and Mikey Lewis – who had a disciplinary scare before receiving the green light to face the Broncos – Rovers have two stars of Super League.

Yet there is far more to the industrious Robins than star quality alone.

"Jez Litten is up there for me as one of the best players in the competition," said Minchella.

"He's got this inner belief and confidence. It's going to take moments on Thursday night – and Jez can create the biggest moments on the biggest stage.

"Mikey Lewis has got X factor, stuff you can't coach. He can produce those big moments. We'll need him to be on to be successful, too.

"But it's across the board. We're not going to rely on just a few players. It's a team effort. That's what it'll take to get us over the line against Brisbane."

One thing is for certain: last week's ragged showing at York will not cut it against the best side in the NRL.

Rovers were off colour and paid a heavy price in the face of an inspired performance by the Super League newcomers.

Seven days on, the Robins must rediscover the edge that carried them through 2025 if they are to claim the title of the world's best team.

"We're going to have to be at our very best," said Minchella.

"We're going to have to be disciplined and stick to our processes and beliefs. That doesn't change regardless of what the occasion is.

"It's easy to say that now when there's no pressure but when the pressure is on out there, the fatigue sets in and things are going against you, it's about staying calm and executing your job in the moments that matter.

"The teams that do that for the longest periods of time go on to win."