Bradford native and ex-Bull Minchella inspires as 'nomad' to cup-winning captain

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The second row is a Bradford native and former West Bowling junior, who after a few short spells elsewhere, wound up playing League 1 rugby for Bulls in 2018.

Two impressive seasons at his hometown club piqued the interest of Hull KR, who signed him at the end of the 2019 season.

And the rest is history, as less than six years on, he has led Rovers to only the second-ever Challenge Cup crown.

Noble, a Bradfordian like Minchella, told the T&A at Tong: "I think Elliot's is a story of application.

"He was like a nomad wandering around the game, but he found somewhere and something that he believed in, and Hull KR believed in him.

"His games improved immeasurably since he joined them and it shows you can't just always play in the same way, you have to adapt.

"Elliot's done that and he's found a role there which he's not only good at, but he's one of the best in the business at it, so full credit to him."

Elliot Minchella proudly holds the Challenge Cup aloft at Wembley last Saturday alongside his team-mates. (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)

Bulls' best player last season, Eribe Doro, was also part of that victorious Rovers squad as 18th man.

Noble added: "We know Eribe's talents, he hits the line as hard as anyone we know and he's a cute cookie.

"I had no qualms in understanding that he'd make an impact at Hull KR after leaving us."

A couple of hours after Rovers' Wembley triumph, York followed suit, beating Featherstone 5-4 in golden point extra-time, as a dramatic AB Sundecks 1895 Cup final went to the wire.

Bulls will feel that should have been them celebrating, as they were off-colour when losing 28-20 against the Knights in the semis last month.

Jayden Okunbor could not hide his frustration at full-time of the cup defeat to York last month. (Image: Tom Pearson)

Tomorrow marks the first reunion of the sides since that day, as the in-form pair take each other on in a mouthwatering Betfred Championship clash.

Noble said: "The players can use that defeat in the cup to York as fuel this weekend.

"But they've got to play the game as well, because I'm a big believer in it being disappointing when you don't act upon what the opposition do, even though you know what's coming.

"We're a better team than we showed at York last month, but we'll only get what we want out of this weekend if we play to our processes too.

"It's a good match up, and I like match-ups like this, they can go either way.

"York are a really well-coached side, one of the top three teams in the division in my mind, so we're going to have to be at our best."

Speaking of the best, one of rugby league's all-time greats broke the sport's unjust 130-year duck earlier this week.

Sir Billy Boston, who turned 90 last August, scored an astonishing 478 tries in 488 games during his 15-year stint with Wigan between 1953 and 1968.

He won three Challenge Cups with the team, while he also served Great Britain with distinction for a decade, being part of the side that won the 1960 Rugby League World Cup.

The Welshman was this week honoured for his services for the game, and he is now officially the first knight of the realm that rugby league has ever had.

A delighted Sir Billy Boston is knighted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace earlier this week. (Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Noble enthused: "Arise Sir Billy; my spell at Wigan was made all the more special by him giving me advice all the time.

"He's a lovely man and now the glass ceiling has been broken, let's hope there are many, many more Sirs to come in our game.

"I can think of four or five deserving recipients of that kind of honour in rugby league.

"To only have one knighthood in 130 years of our game, come on, let's be honest, we need more."