Hull KR captain on righting wrongs at Wembley and what’s “haunted” him for two years

Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella has opened up about what’s haunted him for two years following his side’s victory in the Challenge Cup Final over Warrington Wolves.

The 29-year-old has had his fair share of highs and lows as a Rovers player, from rupturing his ACL back in 2021 to now leading his side to their first Challenge Cup silverware in forty-five years.

He’s been a consistent performer in the Rovers forward pack in 2025 and couldn’t quite believe that his side had managed to win, after leaving it to the 77th minute to score their sole try.

Speaking to the BBC post-match, he said: “I’m lost for words. I thought we’d blown it, to be honest, I don’t know what to say. How good is this?

“It was the ugliest performance all year but it doesn’t matter does it?”

He admitted that he was in pain towards the end of the match, but shared that it was all worth it to lift the trophy at the final whistle.

He added: “I’m in pain, but I’ve got to push through it. I love the team, and we pride ourselves on never giving in, and that’s what we did.”

Hull KR captain on what’s been haunting him for the past two years

Two years ago, Hull KR lost in the Challenge Cup Final to Leigh Leopards in Golden Point extra time, and the Rovers captain shared it’s something that he’s never forgotten about.

On lifting the trophy, he said: “It beats picking the losers’ medal up. That feeling from two years ago has haunted me for the last two years and driven me to never feel it again.

“There were times in that game where things looked pretty bleak, but we kept believing in what we’re about, which is never stopping and going to the end. That try summed it up for me.

“If Tom Davies didn’t work hard, then he wouldn’t be in the position to put the ball down.”

However, he and the Hull KR team have turned those misfortunes into a trophy and credited his side for sticking together and fighting until the very end.

He finished: “I think to win one, we had to lose one. I think we learnt loads from losing two years ago and in the Grand Final.

“I thought it was a real grind today. For me, Marc Sneyd’s kicking game was outstanding. I think his kicks in general play made it really tough for us, but we just stuck in the fight.”

Redemption ✊

Eight months after losing out on a Super League title, captain Elliot Minchella captained Hull KR to #ChallengeCup glory at Wembley 🏆#BBCRL pic.twitter.com/XL8rIEXIzA

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 7, 2025