Hull KR Faces Brisbane Broncos in Highly Anticipated World Club Challenge

Mikey Lewis vows no fear as Super League champions take on NRL Premiers in historic rugby league clash.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:03pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting overlapping and fragmented rugby players in motion, with the vibrant colors of the Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos uniforms creating a dynamic and visually striking composition.The World Club Challenge clash between Hull KR and the Brisbane Broncos promises a high-stakes, high-quality rugby league showdown on the global stage.Las Vegas Today

Hull KR, the reigning Super League champions, are set to face off against the Brisbane Broncos, the NRL Premiers, in the highly anticipated World Club Challenge on Thursday. Mikey Lewis, a key player for Hull KR, has expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete against the star-studded Broncos lineup, vowing to enter the match with no fear. The game holds significant importance as Hull KR aims to further elevate the profile of Super League on the global stage.

Why it matters

The World Club Challenge is a prestigious event that pits the champions of the Super League against the champions of the NRL, providing an opportunity for the two leagues to showcase their talent and compete for supremacy. Hull KR's recent treble-winning season, which included the Grand Final, Challenge Cup, and League Leaders' Shield, has added extra significance to this match, as the Robins look to prove that top-tier rugby league competition exists outside of Australia.

The details

Hull KR, led by Mikey Lewis, are coming off a surprise 3-0 defeat to newly promoted York Knights in their 2026 league opener, a result that Lewis acknowledges as a valuable learning experience. The Broncos, on the other hand, boast a star-studded lineup, including Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan, and Ben Hunt, who recently shone for Australia in the Ashes series. Lewis expects a high-quality match and aims to translate any insights from the Ashes series into Thursday's clash, focusing on extracting moments of opportunity and converting them into goals, much like Walsh did on the big stage.

  • The World Club Challenge will be broadcast live from 6:30 pm local time on Thursday, February 19, on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports+.
  • The match itself is slated to commence at 7:30 pm local time.

The players

Mikey Lewis

A key player for Hull KR who has expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete against the star-studded Brisbane Broncos lineup.

Reece Walsh

A star player for the Brisbane Broncos who recently shone for Australia in the Ashes series.

Pat Carrigan

A Brisbane Broncos player who is part of the star-studded lineup.

Ben Hunt

A Brisbane Broncos player who is part of the star-studded lineup.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.