Brisbane Broncos head coach Michael Maguire has warned his players of what they will face when travelling to England to contest the World Club Challenge against Hull KR next month.
The NRL champions will travel to England on February 9th, just over a week ahead of their clash against the Super League champions, a game that Maguire has touted to be an ‘unbelievable experience’.
Having coached in Super League for two seasons with Wigan Warriors, the 51-year-old knows exactly what his side can expect when they step out at the MKM Stadium on Thursday, 19th February.
“It will be an unbelievable experience because the crowd will be going crazy,” Maguire told AAP with that crazy crowd comment cemented by the fact that tickets for the match did not even make it to general sale, with all 24,600 selling inside 10 days.
“I know from my time over there what it really means. It also means a lot to us.”
“Got to respect it” – Brisbane Broncos boss talks World Club Challenge
As well as the warning of what it means to Hull KR, Maguire affirmed just how special it is for his own side, who have not won a World Club Challenge since 1997 and were the NRL wooden spoon as recently as 2020.
He said: “You have got to remember that the World Club Challenge has been won by Brisbane so to put ourselves up with the likes of those great players before us is something these guys have the opportunity to do.
“You can go into the history books by doing something many of our greats have done in the past.”
Those greats include the club’s most-capped player and former captain Darren Lockyer, who has since invested in London Broncos, who will host their NRL counterpart and run an opposed training session.
The fact Brisbane are getting over to England so early and training with London highlights how seriously they are taking Hull KR, with Maguire again affirming his respect for Super League.
Explaining that players have moments in their career when they can do ‘something special’, Maguire said that this is one of those moments but that his players must respect the occasion.
“When you do (something special) you are grateful for it,” he said, adding: “You have got to respect it as well. I have worked in the Super League and the game over there means a hell of a lot to the English as well so I know very well the mentality they will have.
“It is another opportunity for the Broncos to put another trophy in the cabinet. Winning is fun and that is something we have been able to enjoy this last little period and what we want to continue doing.”
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
