Hull KR’s Jack Broadbent grabbed two more tries ahead of Wembley and insisted: “I always knew I’d make it here.”
The utility back scored another brace for the rampant Super League leaders in Friday’s 34-4 destruction of St Helens.
It took him to ten tries in 15 games this term, was ideal preparation for Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington and continued his stunning trajectory.
Broadbent joined from strugglers Castleford last April as part of a swap-deal with Corey Hall but had a fight on to even get a spot in Willie Peters’ squad.
However, he has proved a big hit, whether playing centre like against Saints, or at full-back, where he’ll feature at Wembley due to Arthur Mourgue being Cup-tied.
Broadbent, 24, beamed: “It was only recently it turned a year since I’d made my KR debut.
“Coming here, when I spoke to Willie, there was never a guaranteed spot in the 17. I knew I had to work for that and earn it. And that challenge kept me going.
“When you know you’ll be playing week in, week out, like I was at Cas, you can maybe find a lull.
“But now I have to train hard and I go out knowing it could be my last game.
“That’s how I treat it. And it’s bringing the best out of me.”
Challenge Cup 2025 special
Our Challenge Cup 2025 special newspaper is the perfect accompaniment to this year’s big game. Packed full of exclusive interviews with representatives of both Hull KR and Warrington Wolves, we also have features with cup heroes of the past such as Sean Long, Andy Gregory, Martin Offiah and Mal Reily.
We profile Lance Todd, the man little is known about who gives his name to the man of the match award. There’s a look at forgotten cup final venues, ranking the best finals, the best 13 of Lance Todd winners, plus a preview of the 1895 Cup final, women’s Challenge Cup final and Year 7 boys final.
On sale 28th May 2025, but you can pre-order a copy to be sent to your home here.
Having struggled to hold down a spot at Leeds, where he made his Super League debut in 2020 but spent time on loan at part-timers Batley and Featherstone, did he ever feel his shot at the big time had vanished?
Broadbent insisted: “No. I always had belief in myself.
“It was probably always the plan: It was always going to be hard for me to get game-time at Leeds so we made the decision to move and go and challenge for game-time at Cas.
“I played virtually every game, worked hard but, no disrespect to Cas, I always knew it was maybe going and getting the experience.
“If it worked out, it worked out. If not I could always move elsewhere. It’s worked out perfectly for me.
“I left [Castleford] half a year earlier and it’s come all of a sudden. But I think there’s a lot of things in rugby league down to timing and for me it’s worked perfectly.”
He started at centre in October’s Grand Final loss against Wigan but is now hoping to make sure Rovers secure some major silverware for the first time in 40 years.
After helping destroy Saints, Broadbent admitted: “I’m buzzing.
“As soon as that final whistle goes there is a bit of relief. You know you’re through it.
“And now it’s Wembley week isn’t it? I’ve never experienced it so I’m looking forward to embracing it.
“I was with Leeds when they got there and won it in 2020. But it was Covid year so I didn’t get to go.
“It was literally the 21-man squad so it was really weird. We couldn’t do any celebrations or anything so it will be good to hopefully push on and do that.”