Hull Kingston Rovers captain Elliot Minchella has urged his side to embrace their status as the team everyone wants to beat, as they prepare for two crucial clashes with Wigan in the space of ten days. The treble winners face Wigan in Super League on Thursday before meeting them again in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley next Saturday.
Rovers have climbed the table after a slow start and could go second with a win at Craven Park. Minchella believes the club is in a golden era, having reached their first Grand Final in 2024, won the title, and been crowned world club champions in February. He stressed the importance of capitalising on their current window of opportunity, with coach Willie Peters leaving at the end of the season for the NRL.
“Teams definitely have windows of opportunity,” Minchella said. “That comes with continuity. Our spine has played together for a long time, and those connections mean you just know what they’re going to do. Those days don’t last forever, so we need to take advantage now.”
The rivalry with Wigan has intensified over the last three years, with the two clubs dominating domestic competitions. Minchella highlighted the shared joy and unspoken understanding among teammates, saying: “When you’ve been through that shared joy, it runs deeper than words. In the Challenge Cup semi-final, we saw that look in each other’s eyes. That’s special.”
Minchella also addressed the challenge of building a dynasty, noting a mentality shift at the club. “In years gone by, there would have been a big celebration about getting to Wembley. But you don’t win anything for getting there. You win at Wembley. That’s the mentality shift. We don’t want to be one-season wonders.”
