Brisbane Broncos have been dealt an injury blow just four weeks out from their World Club Challenge clash with Super League champions Hull KR.
The two sides will meet on Thursday, February 19th at the home of the Robins’ rivals with the MKM Stadium hosting the contest on account of it’s larger capacity.
Whilst Hull KR have taken the decision to make their temporary stand a permanent fixture in 2026, Craven Park still holds only around half the capacity that Hull FC’s MKM Stadium does.
Brisbane Broncos will travel over to England in February and attempt to become the first NRL side to win the World Club Challenge since the Sydney Roosters did in 2020 when they defeated St Helens on English soil.
It’s now been confirmed that Brisbane will have to do that without one of their star players with the Broncos confirming that second-rower Brendan Piakura will miss the clash.
Hull KR handed World Club Challenge hope with Brisbane Broncos man to miss out
Piakura, 23, had his best season to date in 2025, making a career-high 21 appearances as Brisbane went all the way and won the Grand Final for the first time since 2006.
Whilst that drought was near-enough 20 years, Hull KR ended their own 40-year trophy drought as they cleaned up domestically, winning the Challenge Cup, League Leaders Shield and Grand Final, with both sides now seeking the World Club Challenge to add to their trophy cabinet.
Brisbane’s chances will certainly be dented by the loss of Piakura, who the club confirmed has undergone surgery as a result of a meniscus injury.
A statement confirmed: “Brendan Piakura has undergone surgery to repair a meniscus tear sustained during pre-season training.
“The Broncos’ forward is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks.”
It’s a big loss for Brisbane, who otherwise look to be healthy with Pat Carrigan recently revealing that he’s passed fit to play, having previously played throughout the Grand Final and the Ashes with a broken thumb.
Brisbane will prepare for the clash by training with their counterpart Broncos in London, whilst Hull KR have their first pre-season game this weekend against Wakefield and will have played in the Super League season opener a week prior to the World Club Challenge clash.
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