‘Remarkable’ Hull KR standout on Challenge Cup childhood dreams after Willie Peters’ praise

Hull KR head coach was keen to pick out utility back Jack Broadbent for his “remarkable” performance in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final win over Catalans Dragons, and now the 24-year-old has given his own verdict.

Broadbent scored two tries in the 36-12 win at York’s LNER Community Stadium as he racked up well over 200 metres and proved competent and confident in every facet, in both attack and defence.

He has come to be known as the Robins’ Swiss army knife with Broadbent deployed in a number of positions this season, including full-back, wing, centre and stand-off, but it was at full-back he starred on Saturday.

Signed from Castleford Tigers in a swap deal that saw Corey Hall and Louis Senior go the other way, Broadbent has taken his game to new levels and Peters was keen to highlight that post-match when he spoke to the media at the LNER Community Stadium.

“There’s a number of players, Broadbent, Jack for me, it’s remarkable what he’s doing,” Peters explained.

“It doesn’t matter where he plays, I think he got man of the match the other week on the wing. He’s putting in top end performances wherever he is and it’s so good to see. He’s taken every opportunity with both hands.”

Hull KR star gives Man of the Match speech with position switch noted

Barring injury, Broadbent will be at full-back in the Challenge Cup Final for Hull KR as well with Arthur Mourgue cup-tied, however, it’s likely that he will be deployed in the centres for at least the next eight weeks, but possibly the next 16.

That’s because Oliver Gildart will undergo surgery with Peters stating that depending on the type of surgery, it could be either eight or sixteen weeks out, with the latter being the more likely at the moment. As such, Broadbent could finally be in for an extended run in one position.

After earning his Man of the Match medal on Saturday, the 24-year-old reacted to making his first Challenge Cup Final, labelling it as “unbelievable”.

“It’s something that you always dream of as a kid when you’re going and watching so to finally get there, I’m absolutely buzzing. I’m made up,” Broadbent exclaimed.

After racing into a 10-0 lead, Hull KR were pegged back to 12-10 but they blitzed Catalans in the first 15 minutes of the second half in terms of possession and dominance and the points came later on, including two from Broadbent.

On the performance, he said: “I think we just stuck to what we did. I think we started the game well but then we went away from it and let them in with two tries.

“It was pretty simple for us, just go back to being us, put them in a cycle, put them in corners, and just suffocate them. That was our game plan and I think it worked well.”

The former Castleford man was also asked about his versatility, something that cannot be understated given he’s not started more than three games in a row in the same position this season.

“I just want to be in the team,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying my time at full-back so I’m happy to go wherever Willie needs me. We work on that during the week and (changing positions) is nothing new to me.”

Super, Super Jack! 🦸‍♂️#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/4UBg3ljg7p

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) May 11, 2025