Hull KR captain shares secrets to 2026 success with team-first mentality underlined

Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella is having perhaps even more influence on his side in 2026 but he’s playing far fewer minutes than in the past, with both he and head coach Willie Peters addressing the tactical switch that we’ve seen this season.

Minchella is one of just a handful of players remaining at the club from before Willie Peters arrived and it’s fair to say that it’s not always been plain sailing for the loose forward, who was dropped early in Peters’ first season in charge.

He’d bounce back and would take over the captaincy from Shaun Kenny-Dowall whilst also becoming a player who would regularly play 80 minutes, however, that’s changed in 2026.

The addition of Karl Lawton as well as the general bulking up of the pack has meant more rotation options in the pack and Minchella has been given a breather more frequently, though Willie Peters has admitted it’s not necessarily just load management.

“It just depends,” the Australian said, adding: “As I said, there’s a few different things. If he’s on there for 30 minutes, he’s all out. Then he gets a rest and comes back on. Other times, you let him go because he’s in the game.”

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Hull KR captain talks changing role

Minchella has been in the game a lot this season with his performance against Bradford, something that Peters would reference, being one of his best with the early offload assist a thing of beauty.

Peters explained: “With Mini, it’s more around the game itself. It’s more managing him and seeing where we’re at week to week.

“I think he played 60 straight against Bradford. That’s a big stint. He’s played 80 before. There’s other times where he might come off after 30. It just depends on the game. It depends on his work.”

For Minchella, playing less isn’t an issue either. Whilst some would be upset at playing fewer minutes, the forward reasoned that it’s all for the greater good.

He said: “It’s the best for the team, I think, to have people performing as best they can, for as long as they can, and then when the standard drops, performance-wise, within a game, you use your interchange bench.

“You bring someone on and maintain the standard, or increase the standard. That’s what most teams do with a bench, the bench tends to add impact, the starting team sort of sets the standard for the game, and then the bench come on, and hopefully they raise it.

“Me and Willy have loads of honest conversations and speak regularly, so no, it’s not a bit of an issue, it’s whatever’s best for the team. I’m happy with it and I feel like I’m in a good spot.”

Minchella will almost certainly start in today’s Challenge Cup semi-final but it’s to be seen if Peters interprets it as a game where the captain can play for 60 or if he’ll have two shorter and more impactful stints, with Hull KR at near full-strength now.