Elliot Minchella on Hull KR NRL training clash, World Club win and ‘we are aware of it’ issue

Having conquered the NRL last week, Hull KR will be training with them today.

Rovers were due to take part alongside North Queensland Cowboys in an opposed session in Las Vegas, six days after beating NRL Grand Final winners Brisbane Broncos to become World Club champions.

Hull KR play Leeds Rhinos at Allegiant Stadium in a Betfred Super League fixture on Saturday.

That is the first part of a triple-header also featuring two NRL round one matches, Newcastle Knights v the Cowboys and Canterbury Bulldogs against St George-Illawarra Dragons.

Hull KR NRL training clash

Speaking to Serious About Rugby League in Vegas, Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella said: “It will be good for us to have an opposed session against the Cowboys.

“It’ll be good to train against another side and prepare as best we can. Obviously it will be a big test for us training against them, but I am really excited and looking forward to the session.”

Minchella on World Club Challenge win

The Robins’ feet have hardly touched the ground since last Thursday. They arrived in Nevada on Sunday and Minchella reflected: “It has been crazy, to be honest, but we are not getting too high with the win.

“The week before we lost [to York Knights] so it is important you don’t get too low when you lose as well – don’t lose focus on what you believe in, win or lose.

“Whether you lose in round one or win the World Club Challenge you have to make training look the same.

“That’s what we are big believers in and it’s what we do as well. It’s not just talking about it, you have to go and action it.

“That’s our focus’ we enjoyed Thursday night and then our full focus turned to Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas.”

So no danger of a World Club hangover this weekend? Minchella admitted: “I guess we’ll see on Saturday, but I’d like to say not.

“We’ve had the best prep we can so far, the club have been great with us in terms of giving us everything we need nutrition-wise and recovery. There’s no excuses.”

Las Vegas first

This is Minchella’s first trip to Las Vegas and he admitted: “It is quite surreal, walking around and seeing all the famous sights you’ve seen on TV or in the movies.

“We’re taking it all in, but at the back end of the week we’ll really dial into what we’ve come here to do which is to get two league points.

“It is the time of your life. We did what we did last week and a few days later we’ve flown into Vegas to play a Super League game.

“It’s unbelievable, we’ve got to take it all in and be grateful for the opportunity, but don’t forget why we’re here as well, to win a game of rugby league. That’s what we are focused on.”

Issue vs Leeds Rhinos

Saturday’s game could be a classic as Leeds aim to build on last week’s big win against York and pick up a third successive victory against the Robins.

“Leeds are a club we have a lot of respect for, on and off the field,” Minchella said. “I think the way the club is run off the field is great and on the field that speaks for itself.

“I thought they were unlucky last year and this year they have recruited really well and I think they’ll have a strong season. Hopefully they don’t beat us on Saturday, but I think they are in for a good year regardless.”

Minchella, a former Leeds player, would like to put last season’s two defeats to bed, but stressed Rovers aren’t looking back.

“You never forget when teams beat you, but you can’t give it too much energy,” he stated.

“It is a new year. If you put all your eggs in one basket you probably don’t perform as well as you need to.

“We are aware of it, we can’t get away from it, but we want to be on the other side of the result on Saturday.”

Serious About Rugby League’s coverage of Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas is in association with Betfred Super League. Saturday’s showdown at Allegiant Stadium is an early highlight of a packed year of club rugby league action which also includes the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on May 30, Magic Weekend’s blockbuster return to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 4-5 and the Super League Grand Final on October 3 at Old Trafford. Experience live Super League. League Hits Different. To guarantee your place, visit Super League | Tickets