Ahead of the Challenge Cup quarterfinal, the 29-year-old Robins attacker acknowledges that their formidable opponents are a real threat.
Elliot Minchella, the captain of Hull KR, reluctantly showed respect for Hull FC but maintained, “We’re out to finish the job.” The city comes alive this afternoon when the fierce rivals gun it out for a place in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals.
Some people consider it the most important derby date since they all gathered at Wembley for that historic 1980 Cup match, which is still the only time Rovers have ever raised the renowned trophy. Today is much more exciting than usual because the top two teams in the Super League are competing.
Even though Rovers made it to their first Grand Final the previous season and Wembley the year before, few anticipated Hull to be in this situation. After a dismal season in which they only managed three victories, they finished tied for last place last season.
In his 250th career appearance, England’s loose forward Minchella stated: “Yeah, if we’re being honest, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due.”
“John Cartwright has made a huge contribution to FC. They’re doing great, and we’ll be put to the test. Two teams are playing at their best. Of course, our ultimate objective is to win the Cup.
We’re not looking past the quarterfinals, Wembley, or anything else. We’re just focused on what happens on Saturday at FC. That’s all. Willie Peters’ team won all three derbies last year, but in his third season as manager, the Australian has never faced a team as well-prepared as this one. The hosts have also been strengthened by the signing of England Knights stand-off Will Pryce from Newcastle Knights, who is scheduled to make his debut despite only arriving in the nation on Wednesday.
Minchella, 29, hails from Bradford, like Pryce’s dad, the former Hull, Bradford and Great Britain star Leon. “My dad and Will’s dad are friends,” he stated.
“I’m pleased for him. And I’d imagine he’d be playing. He’s not signing for nothing. We know what he can do. He’ll be desperate to make an instant impact. And, for me, when you think of Will Pryce, you think X Factor. He makes things happen. He’s a game-breaker. We’ve got to nullify his threats.”
But KR aren’t without their own threats, England scrum-half Mikey Lewis once more showing his class with a hat-trick in Sunday’s 50-4 bashing of Huddersfield. Rovers have won all eight games this term to suggest they could go all the way back to Wembley and banish the agonising memory of their 2023 golden-point loss to Leigh.
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