It’s fair to say Hull KR skipper Elliot Minchella must have been the most relieved man in East Yorkshire when the final whistle went last Friday night.
Despite taking a commanding early lead in their Super League play-off semi-final against Warrington Wolves, the Robins were pushed all the way at Craven Park with a second half brace from Matty Ashton ensuring there were more than a few nerves jangling in the stands. Among those sweating in the agonising final moments was Rovers captain Minchella, who was serving the second and final game of this suspension.
Minchella had hoped to be available for the contest but the club saw two appeals turned down in the days leading up to the semi-final and that ensured he was powerless as Warrington threatened to stop the Robins in their tracks and end their hopes of claiming silverware for another year.
Willie Peters’ side clung on, though, and as the achievement of reaching a Grand Final dawned on those 17 players involved, Minchella was one of the first figures out onto the turf to celebrate.
“Very proud of my team, they got the job done and it was a very gritty performance,” Minchella said speaking to Serious About RL at a Grand Final media event at Old Trafford. “We won by our defence, first half we were really good and looked quite good with the ball and kept them to zero.
“In the second half Warrington came out with more energy than us and handled the ball better. We just hung in there, found a way to win and got the job done. I’m very proud of the boys but I was very nervous watching, I’m not a very good supporter.
“It was awful. It’s just not being able to have an influence on the team physically. I did everything I could in the couple of weeks prep that we had to get the lads ready but ultimately I couldn’t do anything, I had to just sit back, watch and bite my nails.
“I was absolutely over the moon, especially the boys that took to the field, they did an awesome job. We enjoyed it as a team, but it’s on to what’s next now and that’s Saturday.”
Of course, Minchella would have preferred to have played KR’s last two games, with the forward missing the final game of the regular season against Leeds Rhinos, too. However, as he prepares himself for his first run out since September 13, the 28-year-old is approaching the biggest game of his career to date feeling physically refreshed, which at this late stage of the season is something of a rarity.
“I think so,” the Hull KR man replied when asked if his ban could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. “I won’t have played in a month so I’ve freshened up and it’s cleared a few bumps and bruises. It’s been nice to heal them but I’m feeling fresh and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve trained hard still but I’ve not had a game for a few weeks and I feel good.”
