Daily Mirror rugby league correspondent Dave Craven charts Elliot Minchella's road to success
When Hull KR's Elliot Minchella walks out at Wembley today he'll know better than most to savour every moment.
At 27, he's now one of Super League's leading loose forwards and sure to be a big part of any Robins success this afternoon.
But the affable Yorkshireman has taken a circuitous route and overcome numerous obstacles to get to this point - his first-ever Betfred Challenge Cup final appearance.
For instance, when still a teenager trying to make his way at the mighty Leeds Rhinos, Minchella admitted assaulting a student with team-mate Zak Hardaker which eventually led to his departure from Headingley.
Rather than potentially helping chase silverware, he spent the rest of that treble-winning 2015 season on loan at Championship club London Broncos. Then the next four years as a part-time player with Sheffield Eagles and Bradford Bulls.
Minchella's hopes of getting back to the elite could have been gone for good.
However, his talent - old-fashioned ball-handling No.13 skills allied to tenacious defence - was plain to see, as was his work ethic. Rovers realised as much and it was hardly a punt when they bought the matured Minchella from Bradford at the end of 2019.
He duly excelled, making the most of his second chance in Super League and also overcoming a ruptured ACL which ruined his 2021 campaign just as talk started of an England call-up.
There is, then, no doubt he'll make the most of the 80 minutes ahead in the biggest game of his career against Leigh Leopards.
"One hundred percent you appreciate it all more now," Minchella admits.
"When you go through those tough times you think days like these will never come around.
"But you have just got to keep grafting away, keep the faith in yourself and your own ability. Thankfully, you get to experience days like we will at Wembley. It makes it all the sweeter going through all those hard times and knowing you’ll come out of the other side.
"Hopefully we do get the win - and if we do it’ll be huge for Hull KR."
The only other time Rovers have lifted the Cup was after downing derby rivals Hull in 1980.
If they do prosper over an excellent Leigh outfit, they'll be instantly immortalised in Robins folklore.
And they are, at least, intent on righting the wrongs of their last final appearance - a record 50-0 defeat against Leeds.
Minchella recalls: "I went to that final in 2015. That's a Challenge Cup memory of mine. I was on loan at London at the time and we all went as a squad.
"But that is strange, being there, going to watch that and then the next time Rovers are there I'm there I'm playing for them.
"I also remember as a kid watching Bradford a few times in the final, including 2003 when they did the treble but that one was at Cardiff.
"The Challenge Cup is a massive competition. I'm immensely proud to be in the final."
And he could be joined by three of his former Bradford team-mates.
Stand-off Rowan Milnes and second-row Matty Storton joined the Robins as part of the same transfer deal as Minchella and winger Ethan Ryan arrived a month earlier.
"We all played at the same amateur club in Bradford as well - West Bowling. It's a bit of a mad story really. We're all really good friends. We used to car share across to Hull. Now, a lot of us have moved over.
"Where we've come from - West Bowling, to Bradford, to Hull KR and now to Wembley - to do that with your best mates is unbelievable.
"It’s what you play for - to play with your mates and enjoy the good times. This is one of them."
With today's showpiece being the first time in 37 years that none of Wigan, St Helens, Leeds or Warrington have been involved in the Challenge Cup, it's a perfect chance for a new club to start writing some of their own history.
Minchella, who chalked up his 200th career appearance earlier this year, says: "It's great - and it's great Leigh got here, too. They have had a quality year and have done really good things.
"Likewise, we're doing some really good things as well. It's two great teams playing in a final and it'll be someone relatively new on the trophy.
"It's good for the neutral, too. We're hoping it's our name on the Cup but as a spectacle I think it's going to be brilliant. It's really good for the sport."
Undoubtedly, Leigh have been a revelation since earning promotion from the Championship last autumn.
They're not just thinking about Wembley; Adrian Lam's confident outfit have beaten big-hitters such as champions Saints, Leeds and Warrington to emerge as genuine title contenders.
And in brilliant former North Queensland Cowboys loose forward John Asiata, they boast arguably the best player of this Super League season.
His battle with Minchella will be fascinating. "He's probably been the benchmark,” explains the Rovers ace. "There's a few good loose forwards in the comp' and he's definitely up there. He's a great player - experienced, very skilful and I'm looking forward to going up against him again.
"It's a key area of the game. He plays a big part for them. We'll have to do a job on him stopping him. But they have threats all over. I have respect for him and I'm sure he'll be out to do the best for his side as well."
Leigh also have former Steve Prescott Man of Steel and England star Hardaker shining at centre.
Does Minchella still stay in contact with his old team-mate?
He responds: "We're mates. Our careers have gone different directions but every time we play each other we have a bit of a catch-up. I have respect for him. It's great to see him doing well.
"He's obviously been through some adversity in his own career and for him to be back playing where he is and in the form he is it's great to see. Good on him."
Meanwhile, memories of Rovers' stunning 11-10 semi-final win over Wigan remain fresh today.
Minchella, who returned after three weeks out with a shoulder injury suffered in the 34-4 Super League defeat at Leigh, watched on as Brad Schneider nailed the crucial 40m drop goal.
"That feeling was just a relief," he remembers.
"And excitement. Every emotion going. I was so nervous. I was on the bench at that point. It was so hard to watch. But I watched it go over and saw the crowd behind the sticks go up. And then I just ran on the field, let everything out. Jumped on Brad and the rest of the boys. It was unreal."
Schneider had only arrived in the country on loan from Canberra the week before - when, remarkably, he slotted a golden point drop goal to beat Leeds at Headingley on his debut.
Minchella adds: "What a couple of weeks he had. He came over, didn't really know anyone and just fitted straight in. I don't think even he could imagine how well it's gone for him. We're glad he's on our side. And long may it continue.
"Now we're at Wembley, the best stadium in the country and a massive opportunity for us. Hairs stand up on the back of my neck anytime I think about it.
"It's once in a lifetime but we've won nothing yet. Eight years ago when the club lost 50-0 it's almost a nightmare. We want to be better - and go win it."
This article is taken from the official Betfred Challenge Cup Finals programme - the programme can be purchased online here.
Tickets for this weekend's showpiece finals day at Wembley are available until kick-off via Rugby League Tickets.
