Hull KR take on Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night in the World Club Challenge and we’ve looked at where and how the game will be won.
The Robins were already large underdogs but their shock loss to York Knights in round one of Super League has cast even more doubt over their ability to disrupt the NRL champions.
With players such as Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds creating off the back of a pack that will see Patrick Carrigan and Hakeem Haas (formerly Payne with the name change reflecting his Muslim faith) wreaking havoc, Hull KR have a very stiff test on Thursday night.
They’ll attempt to become the third successive Super League side to win the World Club Challenge and they’re aiming to do it on enemy territory, with Hull FC’s MKM Stadium hosting the match.
We’ve looked at the major match-ups, the players who can be expected to shine, and the predicted team news ahead of Thursday night’s match.
Hull KR v Brisbane Broncos’ World Club Challenge deep dive
Key match-ups
Mikey Lewis versus Reece Walsh
Positionally, there is no match-up here but in respect of star power and game-changing plays, these two are at the forefront. Both men showed as such in their respective Grand Final wins but they have also showed poor judgement of late with Mikey Lewis’ round one sin bin inexcusable, whilst Reece Walsh also put Australia under the pump with his Ashes sin bin.
With that behind them, it will be on each man to break the game open, just as they did in their Grand Final wins. Walsh had the better of Lewis in the Ashes and it’s now on the Englishman to flip the script.
Gehamat Shibasaki versus Peta Hiku
In recent years, one of Hull KR’s defensive weak spots has been at right centre, though Tom Davies’ addition in 2025 certainly firmed that edge up.
Despite that, Hiku will be lining up against one of the stories of the 2025 NRL season with Shibasaki going from fringe player to Origin to the Ashes. Half-back Ezra Mam also loves to float over to that side meaning Hull KR will have to put a strong defensive emphasis on that side.
Sauaso Sue versus Hakeem Haas
With no Jared Waerea-Hargreaves anymore, Hull KR will have to turn to their most experienced prop in Sauaso Sue to lead the line against the best prop in the world.
Haas is undoubtedly the best prop in rugby league so containing him will be near impossible, especially when he plays such long minutes. His 2025 Origin stats saw him average 60 minutes on the field, 35 tackles and 142 metres. Containing him will be on the entire pack but Hull KR will need someone to take it to Haas and Sue will likely have to be that man.
Jez Litten versus Ben Hunt
Hull KR’s standout player in 2025 and he’ll need a big game on Thursday, especially if the Robins turn to him on the kicking front as they have in the past. His 40/20 in the Ashes was a key moment but ultimately was wasted but Hull KR need those moments from Litten, and they will need to capitalise on it as well.
With rucks being officiated faster, Litten can benefit from quick darts from dummy-half, something that was evident in the defeat to York where he made 81 metres from those sort of runs.
Ben Hunt will offer measured and reliable service from nine, which is perhaps all that’s needed for the superior team on paper to win, whereas Jez Litten will have to create and make things happen if Hull KR are to land the upset.
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Ones to watch
Outside of the obvious stars, many of whom are mentioned above, there are plenty of less obvious players who could make a massive impact. For Brisbane, that man could be Jack Gosiewski, who is expected to play in the second-row due to Brendan Piakura’s absence.
The 31-year-old played just 14 times in 2025 and was mainly used in an interchange role so such an opportunity is a massive one for the second-rower to seize.
For Hull KR, it could be time for Tom Amone to announce himself to Hull KR fans. He missed the round one game through injury but now fit and firing, Amone has a point to prove after his NRL return wasn’t successful.
He’s since found his way back to Super League and will fancy himself against a very strong Brisbane pack.
In terms of impact from the bench, Sam Luckley‘s offload game could prove invaluable whilst Brisbane’s new signing Aublix Tawha will add punch having signed from the Dolphins where he averaged almost 30 tackles per game.
Confirmed Hull KR XIII: Arthur Mourgue; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Tom Amone, Jez Litten, Sauaso Sue; Dean Hadley, James Batchelor; Elliot Minchella
Interchanges: Karl Lawton, Jai Whitbread, Sam Luckley, Rhyse Martin
Expected Brisbane Broncos XIII: Reece Walsh; Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner; Ezra Man, Adam Reynolds; Corey Jenson, Ben Hunt, Hakeem Haas; Jack Gosiewski, Jordan Riki; Patrick Carrigan
Interchanges: Cory Paix, Xavier Willison, Aublix Tawha, Ben Talty
