Former St Helens star Morgan Knowles is hoping that Hull KR can become the third English team in a row to lift the World Club Challenge, as he hopes the Robins can silence the Australian critics of Super League yet again.
Knowles, who won the WCC with the Saints in 2023, has moved to NRL side The Dolphins this off-season, reuniting with former boss Kristian Woolf.
A winner of six trophies at the Red Vee, including four Grand Finals in a row, the loose forward knows what it takes to lift silverware. He believes that Hull KR can certainly do that next month when they take on Brisbane Broncos, despite what most of the Aussie fans and media may think.
Speaking to the media in Australia, Knowles gave his verdict on what he thinks will happen at the MKM Stadium on February 19th, and revealed that if the Robins play at their best, then they will be in with a real chance of picking up their fourth trophy over the course of the last 12 months.
Also commenting on the disrespect that the Australians give Super League, he said: “Super League gets put down a fair bit and that definitely annoys us English blokes over there. So we have definitely got a point to prove.
“Obviously we beat Penrith [2023] and then Wigan beat Penrith [2024] back in the UK as well.
“Hull KR will be wanting to do the same. They are a good team and coached well. It will be a good game and I look forward to watching it.”
He continued: “It was the same back in 2023 when I came over with St Helens.
“Everyone was asking ‘why are you in Australia?’ They were laughing at us saying,’ ‘it is going to be a cricket score’.
“We were quietly confident in ourselves and obviously got the win and Wigan backed it up the year after.
“The English boys will be confident and I hope Broncos take them lightly and we get another English win.”
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Former St Helens star Morgan Knowles set for starting role following NRL move
As mentioned, Knowles moved to The Dolphins this off-season, ending an 11-year run in the first team at Saints.
Though we are still over a month out from the opening round of the NRL season, injuries in the current squad suggest that the 29-year-old will be part of the starting 17, if not 13, when Woolf’s side take on South Sydney Rabbitohs in their opening game of the year,
Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is set for an extended period on the sidelines, which means that Kurt Donoghue, who can play nine or 13, will move into the dummy half role.
That frees up the loose forward spot for Knowles, and his chances are increased with Max Plath, not expected to be fit for the opening round.
Captain Tom Gilbert can play 13, but he is thought to be moving into the back row once he returns from injury, meaning that Knowles will be pencilled into that starting spot.
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Eric T Cat
January 13, 2026 at 1:39 pm
I see a couple of problems, Brisbane are taking it really seriously, this isn’t just a pre season run out, they plan to hit the ground running. The coach ha# experience, he knows Rvers are heavily invested in winning, he’ll pick his best team! Let’s hope for a north wind, some sleet, and a very hostile crowd baying for a Rovers win. I was at Old Trafford many years ago when Widnes gave Canberra the shock of their lives, a brilliant match. I think Rovers have just enough in them to pul off an unexpected shock victory! If they do it risks savaging the squad to offers from the NRL.