Summary

  • To mark the World Club Challenge match between Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos, BBC Radio Humberside organised a relay, inviting fans and special guests to carry the match ball from Craven Park to the MKM Stadium

  • The fixture has been moved from the Robins' home ground to that of their rivals, Hull FC, to allow more than 24,000 fans to see the match

  • Fans young and old, firefighters and even a groom on his wedding day joined in with the pre-match excitement

Live Reporting

Writers Eleanor Maslin and David McKenna. Edited by Jen Bateman and Mike Chilvers

  1. Highlights of the relay

    Thanks for joining us today - what an emotional journey from east to west Hull.

    To sign off here's some of the highlights from the day.

    Hull KR World Club Challenge ball relay kicks off

  2. 'Amazing, amazing!'

    To the strains of the red, red, robin Craig Eskrett has walked onto the pitch.

    The crowd cheered as he placed the ball on its plinth.

    Craig said: "It's a special moment, making history - it might never happen again."

    Craig Eskrett

  3. Pundits and captain's predictions

    BBC Radio Humberside's Richard Stead says of tonight's match: "Rovers need to be at their best, it's two teams, 80 minutes and one strip of grass".

    Presenter James Hoggarth is in the fanzone and says it's a "relaxed atmosphere with fans young and old".

    Hull KR's captain Elliot Minchella speaking to the BBC earlier said it was a "huge responsibility but one I'm looking forward to" adding, "I want to come out on the winning side".

    Exterior of the MKM stadium

  4. Nearly there...

    Hull KR fan Craig Eskrett will soon place the match ball on the plinth, with the support of his wife and two children.

    He has motor neurone disease and has worked with the club to raise money and awareness for charities.

    Craig will use his wheelchair to access the stadium but once pitch side, he plans to walk to the plinth with the ball.

    We've featured Craig and his fundraising in articles before.

    Craig Eskrett being presented with the match ballBBC / Kell Sharpe

  5. Aussie firefighter makes surprise visit to station

    Australian firefighter Kane Maley, who we mentioned earlier, popped by Hull Central Fire Station for a visit.

    Kane is from Queensland and will be supporting the Brisbane Broncos at the game later.

    In a social media post, Humberside Fire & Rescue said: "It's not every day an Australian firefighter pops by!"

    Five people, including one women and four men, are stood in front of a red and yellow fire truck. The man in the middle is wearing jeans, a cap and a shirt that says 'Powers' on it. The other people are wearing navy shirts and black trousers, all with their hands behind their backs.Humberside Fire & Rescue Service

  6. A triumphant arrival

    After an amazing day filled with fans, fun and a little rain the relay has arrived at the MKM Stadium, greeted by smiling volunteers and a band!

    You can keep across all the pre-match excitement with BBC Radio Humberside's James Hoggarth, Nick Pinkney and Richard Stead on-air now.

    BBC Sport also have live coverage here from 19:00.

    A brass band and smiling crowd wearring turquoise coatsBBC / Kell Sharpe

  7. Father and sons complete the relay

    Life-long fan Darren Rosenquest, along with his two sons, Harry and Daniel, have become the final ball carriers in today's relay.

    Harry, Darren and Daniel pictured wearing replica kits, each holding up a pint.Daniel Rosenquest

    Harry, Darren and Daniel enjoying a drink together

    Darren, 58, said it was his Uncle Mike who first took him to see Rovers as a child, despite his father being "a big black and white".

    "Obviously, once you pick a side you stick to it," he said.

    "That's how I got into it, and then I took my two lads Daniel and Harry, and they've got in their blood now as well," he added.

    Darren was nominated by Daniel, 34, who described being part of the event as "the icing on his cake of seeing the mighty Hull KR win the treble".

  8. Coach of Hull KR wheelchair team carries ball

    Head coach of the Hull KR Wheelchair Rugby League Team, Connor Sweeney, has carried the ball from Queen Victoria Square to St Stephen's Shopping Centre.

    The 22-year-old, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, will be going to the game later.

    He was described by his parents, who are going to the game with him, as a "massive Hull KR supporter and rugby league fan".

    A wheelchair user is holding a rugby ball and smiling at the camera at the bottom of a set of steps. He is wearing a red cap and black jacket, blue jeans and trainers.

  9. Domestic kings Hull KR out to conquer the world

    Winning Super League for the first time gave Rovers a crack at a trophy no Robin has ever won - the World Club Challenge.

    Tonight's showpiece against Australia's National Rugby League premiers Brisbane Broncos will give them the chance to box off their 2025 successes and earn the mantle of best club team in the world.

    You can read how Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella craves the taste of victory in a BBC Sport interview here.

    A crowd of rugby fans wearing caps and holding up flags, one large one at the front reads 'Challenge Cup Final 2025'. They are stood in what appears to be a market square.

    Hull KR won the Challenge Cup Final in 2025, defeating Warrington Wolves 8-6

  10. 'A privilege to carry the ball for my friend'

    Jamie Arnell and his two sons earlier carried the ball in memory of their friend.

    James Barlow was a massive Hull KR fan and died in December.

    Jamie, who supports Hull FC, said: "It was a privilege to do it for him."

    He said James would be looking down at him "laughing at me with this ball".

    A man is standing in the middle of two young boys holding a rugby ball, wearing a black beanie and jacket. A young boy is an older boy are holding up a flag either side of him with a photo of a man, the Hull KR logo and 'once a robin, always a robin' written across it. They are on a bridge.

    His son, Ollie, 14 said: "It will be good if Hull KR win for James."

    Sonny, five, told BBC Radio Humberside he was feeling "happy".

  11. 'My guide dog is a lot more used to the attention'

    A photo to share with you now of Jackson, Nathan Major's guide dog who was by his side, as he is every day, to help him carry the ball earlier from Clarence Street to the footbridge near The Deep.

    Nathan, who lost his sight when he was 26, told BBC Radio Humberside that Jackson was "a lot more used to the attention than I am, I have to say."

    A woman with a pink coat is walking along a path next to a man carrying a rugby ball and looking down at his guide dog, a yellow labrador. Two other people, a man and woman, can be seen walking next to him.

  12. Smiling faces from Hull's young rugby clubs

    The Hull Dockers Girls and Skirlaugh under 11s braved the weather to accompany the lord mayor on the symbolic crossing of the River Hull.

    A group of young boys wearing the same black and yellow sports outfits and woolly hats with a yellow bobble on them. They are holding a rugby ball and standing on a bridge
    A group of girls in green and white striped tops with a young person stood at the front of them with a red hoodie and navy jacket holding a rugby ball.

  13. Lord Mayor's grandson 'can't wait' for match later

    Lord Mayor Cheryl Payne has officially delivered the ball from east to the west side of Hull.

    She was accompanied by Hull Dockers Girls and Skirlaugh under 11s.

    A mayor is dressed up in uniform with a red gown and black traditional hat and is smiling as she holds a rugby ball on a bridge, with a river in the background and modern-looking building.

    "It's absolutely exciting for everyone," she said.

    "I know my grandson can't wait for it, he's going along with his daddy.

    "It's not a very good day but to pass the ball along from east to west was absolutely amazing."

  14. Hull FC fan takes part in memory of KR-supporting friend

    Hull FC fan Jamie Arnell, 36, is taking part in the relay in memory of his friend James Barlow, a Hull KR fan who died in December after being struck by a car.

    James Barlow pictured inside the cab of a lorry wearing a novelty Hull FChat. He is wearing a blue polo shirt and a watch on his left wrist.Jamie Arnell

    James Barlow pictured wearing a Hull FC hat as a forfeit for his beloved Hull KR losing a derby game

    Jamie said the two of them had worked together, delivering caravans in a lorry, with one half of the cab decorated in black and white - and the other in red and white.

    "Neither of us was allowed on the other's side," he said.

    Jamie said his friend would have been "absolutely buzzing" for the game, adding: "You just have to put rivalry aside and do what you can for your best friend.

    "I'm just glad he got to see the treble before he was tragically taken from us.

    "It's a massive game for Hull KR, but I think it's massive for Hull, for the rugby league community."

  15. Lord Mayor takes ball across the river

    The ball is now crossing over the River Hull, from east to west.

    Lord Mayor Cheryl Payne is taking the ball across this symbolic stage of the relay alongside local rugby clubs Hull Dockers Girls and Skirlaugh under 11s.

    The crossing means it has now moved from Hull KR territory in the east of the city into Hull FC's traditional base in the west.

    We hope to bring you pictures of the moment soon.

    A landscape photograph of the River Hull bridge with several spectators dotted across it. A car park can be seen on the right side of the river and industrial buildings on the left and in the distance.Dale Baxter/BBC

  16. What do the Aussies make of Hull?

    Supporter Kane Maley, from Australia, said: "It is a little bit cold, I must admit. I've still got the shorts on, but the ears are getting a bit crisp.

    "We're the best team in the world and we're just here to prove it, that's all."

    The picture shows a man smiling at the camera. He has brown hair and is wearing a purple cap. He's wearing a burgundy, white and yellow patterned scarf. He is standing in a church, and there are multiple stone pillars behind him.Amanda White/BBC

  17. Chilly conditions for tonight's match

    Just taken a quick look at the forecast for the weather in Hull tonight - and it's looking like a chilly, and possibly damp, reception for the Australians.

    Screenshot of BBC weather forecast page for Hull

  18. 'Incredible team'

    Gareth Scott, 54, says it is a "huge honour" to be part of the relay.

    Gareth Scott pictured holding the match ballDale Baxter/BBC

    He said he first saw the Robins play when he was 10, adding the club has been a constant part of his life ever since.

    "To be part of this little bit of history after the team has done so well is amazing," he said.

    "It's just incredible what the team has achieved."

    As for the result, he added: "I really hope we can do it. It would be fantastic, not only for the club, but also the city."

  19. To you, and you, and you, and you

    The match ball is heading from Craven Park to the MKM Stadium.

    At Siemens Gamesa in Hull the relay continued with the ball travelling from hand-to-hand along the length of a wind turbine blade.

  20. In safe hands

    Paula Richardson, pictured below, may have joked that her brother told her not to throw the ball due to her poor hand and eye coordination, but it looks like she is doing a wonderful job.

    The first half of the relay has seen some real highlights when it comes to successful passes, with a near 100% conversion rate.

    Let's hope the team has been watching and getting a few tips.

    Two people holding the match ballDale Baxter/BBC

    Two people holding the match ballDale Baxter/BBC
    Ball being thrown to Sam, the firemanDale Baxter/BBC