Hull KR face off against Warrington Wolves on Sunday in the Challenge Cup semi-finals
Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella is presented the Roger Millward MBE Trophy
Last season’s remarkable success stands for very little as Hull KR bid to reach yet another Challenge Cup final this weekend.
That’s the message from Rovers skipper Elliot Minchella ahead of Sunday’s semi-final clash with Warrington Wolves at the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster.
The Robins saw off Warrington Wolves 11 months ago at Wembley Stadium to kickstart an unprecedented trophy haul in east Hull, with the League Leaders’ Shield, the Super League title and the World Club Challenge all following.
It was a period in time that defined this current KR group’s legacy at Craven Park, with history being made in emphatic fashion.
However, a line has been firmly drawn under that now, with their treble winning antics of last year being packed away and forgotten about as the club bid to do it all over again.
“It’s a new year and a new team with new individuals,” Minchella said.
“Last year is last year. We’ve left that in the past. The ’26 group want to write our own chapter.
“Whilst we recognise that last year was unbelievable, it’s last year. If you keep talking or thinking about it, you lose track of what you’re about to do.
“We want to make history as a group for ’26.”
KR might not be keen to dwell on the past, but experience comes with their previous accomplishments and that will certainly come in handy this weekend.
The Robins have trained on the Eco-Power Stadium pitch, getting accustomed to their surroundings as they would for a final, and it’s fair to say they know how to build themselves up and approach the big occasion.
“These are the games that excite you,” Minchella added.
“There’s a buzz around the group, which is natural. It’s an important week for the club but also the players. We recognise that this is a big week and that you’ve got to embrace it.
“The majority of us have played in finals – we had one at the start of the year – so we’ve got experience of these weeks and games.
“No matter how experienced you are, it’s exciting. These are the games that you want to be a part of when you’re a kid.
“You’ve got to remember the kid in you that dreamt about playing in these games. But you can’t go too hard with that and get carried away.”