Hull KR's Elliot Minchella thriving in new role after stepping up from Championship

Robins coach Tony Smith used him there off the bench in the early part of this season before giving him his first start in the No9 role during Sunday’s 30-16 loss at Wigan Warriors.

Minchella impressed in the middle, making a number of sniping runs out of dummy-half, picking good passes and giving his struggling side more defensive presence in the central area.

Luckless Australian hooker Matt Parcell has endured a miserable start to the campaign with injuries and suspension meaning the Robins had been looking for someone to help out their other rake Jez Litten.

Former England Academy international Minchella, who played a handful of Super League games for Leeds Rhinos before dropping down a level with Sheffield Eagles in 2015, is not averse to making it a more regular occurrence.

“I will do if Tony wants me to,” said the 24-year-old, who scored 45 tries in 59 games for hometown Bradford.

“I said in pre-season that I’d just bite his hand off to play anywhere.

“That’s the type of person I am. It’s not my position but he’s wanted me to play there while we’ve got injuries and I’ve been working on that and trying to do my best.

“If I’m there again next week or future weeks, I’ll do my best and keep working on it.

“I’d never played hooker until I came to the club but Wigan was my sixth game in a row there and I am enjoying it.

“It’s something different; I’m learning so if it gets me out on the park I’ll play there.”

Rovers slipped to a fifth successive defeat at the weekend but they continue to show real heart and caused Wigan a number of worries before falling away when injuries took a grip in the second period.

Minchella said: “It’s a tough game; it’s a tough place to come and it doesn't get much harder than Wigan.

“But I thought we had some great spirit. We never gave in and played to the final whistle.

“There were probably a few big plays that came off for them that didn’t come off for us and that was the difference.

“But the effort couldn’t be questioned and that’s what we pride ourselves on - spirit. That was outstanding.

“Tony said we spent the last half hour with one sub. It got quite tough.

“I came off and then walked down the touchline and went straight back on!

“But that’s rugby isn’t it? On another day we’d have a full bench and the outcome might be different.

“They’re the cards we were dealt with and we didn’t give in. That’s what we’re about.”

Minchella - one of five players who switched to KR in the off-season - will be back to facing some familiar foes when Rovers host Championship side Leigh Centurions in Sunday’s Challenge Cup tie.

He came up against them plenty of times in recent years and knows what danger they possess.

“Leigh are obviously in form and it’s always tough facing any side in form,” said Minchella, with their opponents sitting second in the Championship.

“They’ll be very confident but obviously we’re at home and we’ll be hoping to put on a good performance for our fans.

“ It’s the Cup and a completely different competition. It’s going to be a good game and I’m looking forward to it.

“We’re confident in our own ability as well.”

Minchella, of course, has happy recent memories of the famous knockout competition having helped part-timers Bradford stun Leeds at Odsal last May to reach the quarter-finals.

“We did have a good Cup run.,” he recalled.

“We beat Fev in Golden Point and then beat Leeds so I do enjoy the Cup.

“It takes you away from Super League or - as we were last year - the Championship and I am looking forward to it.

“Leigh have recruited well and it’ll be a good test.”