Inside Hull KR's bid to become 'undisputed' world champs ahead of Vegas

Hull KR coach Willie Peters used the catch cry “undisputed” and the boxing analogy of “uniting” titles to inspire his players to ensure they head to Vegas next week as world champions.

After the Robins won the World Club Challenge on an unforgettable night at a packed MKM stadium, Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell declared: “It was legacy last year when we won the treble - this is immortality, really”.

No-one argued when the 2026 World Club Challenge was described as the biggest game in the history of a club formed in 1882.

Leading Brisbane 30-4 with 21 minutes to go, it seems as if disco lights might descend from the MKM Stadium ramparts at any time.

In the end the Robins had to withstand a typhoon-like Broncos comeback to win 30-24, halfback Tyrone May giving an insight into the psychology employed by coach Willie Peters.

“Undisputed - just one word,” May told NRL.com when asked what he would remember most. “We’ve united all the trophies, I guess, and we spoke about that in boxing terms.

May said the boxing analogy had come from Peters, explaining: “Last year we had the same going into the finals series, around boxing. We’ve got (former professional boxer) Tommy Coyle in our corner, so we relate things back to those simple terms.”

Local businessman Hudgell grew up supporting the club and witnessed some tough times, with much of its history spent in the shadows of local rivals Hull FC - whose ground they used for Thursday’s match.

“He had this vision 18 months ago that he wanted to raise the World Club Challenge trophy at the MKM,” May said. “We’re 12 months late on it but was good to do it for him.

"He stuck by the club. Ten years ago they were relegated. To have the turnaround that they do now … especially a hard-working, blue collar city like East Hull, it means a lot and I’m glad we could do it for the community.”

Star five-eighth Mikey Lewis fought back tears on TV as he apologised for being sent to the sin bin the previous week's 19-18 loss to York and pledged undying loyalty to the club.

“From where we were five years ago, I’ve been on this journey from the beginning - since I was a young boy,” he said. “Now look at us. We’re thriving.

”You know what? It was a stupid thing I did. I let my team-mates down. I said to the boys ‘let’s talk, I want to build my trust back from you’ because it’s ridiculous what I did.

"I let the whole club down and it’s something I need to get out of my game pretty fast and no better way to do it than tonight. I’ll do anything for this team, this club. I’d die for this club.”

Peters and hooker Jez Litten said the shock defeat to York, who were playing their first match in Super League, had served as motivation for the Broncos clash.

May added: "It’s good to go out there and do it after the humbling we got last week in York, and I guess now York’s the best team in the world.”

Hull KR will meet Leeds Rhinos next up at Allegiant Stadium as part of the Rugby League Las Vegas festival, which includes the season opening NRL double-header between the Cowboys and Knights, and Bulldogs and Dragons.

The win was costly with goal kicking fullback Arthur Mourgue (pectoral muscle) and back rower Dean Hadley, who is thought to have played the final quarter with a fractured eye socket, set to miss the trip to Vegas.