Around 24,000 fans will get the opportunity to roar on Rovers in Thursday’s game, after Hull KR negotiated the use of the larger MKM Stadium, home of their fierce rivals Hull FC.
Craven Park’s much lower capacity would have left many fans locked out of the event, and stifled the club’s ability to generate revenue from a major showpiece.
So, Minchella and his team-mates have a unique situation whereby they will head for the home dressing room rather than the away facility, as well as running out to thousands of cheering voices rather than a chorus of boos and jeers.
They will also do so in a specially designed kit, which harks back to the Robins’ famous 1983 victory over a touring Queensland side which featured ‘The King’ Wally Lewis, later Wigan star Gene Miles and other Australia internationals such as Wally Fullerton-Smith and Bryan Niebling.
That Rovers side remains fondly recalled, with Robins forever favourites such George Fairburn, Gary Prohm, Mike Smith, John Dorahy, Watkinson, Mark Broadhurst and Phil Hogan among the ranks.
“We’re looking forward to pulling the shirt on,” Minchella added. “I’ve done some pictures with the kit and heard a lot of the story, the reasons why we’re wearing the shirt.
“You never forget the history is there, it’s in the books forever and for us to be able to represent those guys, our club and our community wearing the shirt is a great nod to them.
“Hopefully people are proud to see us wear that and we can make them proud and make our own history as the 2026 team.”
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