Having drawn inspiration from their historic World Club Challenge win over the Brisbane Broncos, Hull KR’s greatest source of motivation for this week’s Las Vegas blockbuster is much closer to home.
Around 6,000 Rovers fans have descended on Sin City for rugby league ’s glitziest showpiece, spearheaded by the NRL. It may be an Aussie event, but it’s the presence of KR and their opponents, Leeds Rhinos, that has elevated the build-up in the desert to Saturday’s triple-header at Allegiant Stadium.
Everywhere you look Red and white has flooded the famous strip – and among that sea of supporters is one story that has stopped the treble winners and world champions in its tracks.
Craig Eskrett, a lifelong Hull KR fanatic battling Motor Neurone Disease, has made the emotional journey to Nevada to support his beloved club.
Last June, Craig was invited onto the balcony at Hull City Hall as the Robins celebrated their Challenge Cup victory – the first of three trophies in a stunning, history-making season.
Now he’s in Vegas. And he’s inspiring the team all over again.
“A fan called Craig Eskrett has come over, who has MND. To see his journey to get here has been such an inspiration for us,” head coach Willie Peters said.
“He comes into training every week, and to see what it’s taken for him to get here to Vegas is incredible.
“I met Craig for the first time at a training session, and he had just been diagnosed with MND.
“He’s been a part of what we’ve done for the last two years. He has a beautiful family – and we’re his family too. He loves Hull KR. It puts a smile on his face, and that’s what we’re here for. We talk about being a community club, and that’s exactly what we are.”
Vegas fever has well and truly gripped the Robins’ faithful, with supporters and whole families finding many ways to ensure they made it to the gambling Mecca for this once in a lifetime experience.
One diehard fan even quit her job after being refused time off for the trip of a lifetime.
“I met someone in a café out here – she’d worked at a school for 20 years, but she’s not working there anymore because they wouldn’t give her the time off. She said this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so she quit to be out here,” Peters added. “There will be many stories like that.”
For Peters, it’s personal too. The Aussie coach – who recently led KR to become only the fourth Super League club ever to hold all four major trophies at once – has been reunited with his own family for the occasion.
“My family has come over from Australia – it’s a big event. My mum, dad and sister are here. I hadn’t seen my mum for a few years, and I hadn’t seen my dad for four. That’s what it’s all about.”
Hull KR in Las Vegas in association with Hanson Electrical.