By IAN JUDSON
JAI Whitbread has suffered the agony of relegation as recently as 2023 with Wakefield Trinity but now finds himself about to play the biggest club game in the world against some old friends.
The Hull KR forward will on Thursday evening take to the pitch against a Brisbane Broncos team which includes close friend and Australian international Patrick Carrigan in the World Club Challenge at Hull FC’s home ground.
Preparing for the biggest game of his life, the strange surroundings haven’t made any impression on him, he said. “I haven’t really thought about it to be honest, but yeah, I guess it’s unfamiliar territory in some regard, isn’t it?
Speaking about the biggest section of the crowd that will be there to support them Whitbread said: “Yeah, it will definitely be different to the usual 10, 20 per cent that we usually get (at MKM) but don’t get me wrong, they’re always loud. So I know what to expect from the fans that are going to be coming, for sure.”
Speaking about his history with Thursday’s opponents: “They’ve had a fair few changes since I’ve been there. I do know a few of the players
“I played alongside about five of the current players in the under 20s, so I guess that gives me a bit of an insight into sort of what those players are like, their strengths and what to look for.”
What are the threats Hull have identified in preparation for this game? “For us, it’s in the middle first. Being a middle player, that’s where we think they’ve got a big threat.
“Then, obviously, their speed men out wide, the likes of Reece Walsh. I think everybody knows what he’s capable of, we’re definitely going to have to be on high alert.”
Having had two competitive games, one in the Challenge Cup and one in the Betfred Super League, with very contrasting fortuntes against Castleford Lock Lane, which produced a 104-0 victory and an 18-19 defeat at Super League new-boys York Knights, how could those games help with what is to come?
“I think more so, the York game, we took a lot of learning from, just around where we sort of fell short, where we need to improve, adjusting to the new rules that have come in and the ill-discipline that we showed.
“So, although we’re glad to have had, if you want to call them, competitive games, yeah we’ve definitely taken a lot of learnings out of the York game for sure.”
Was the Lock Lane game more about getting combinations working and developing attacking structures? “I think the Lock Lane game was more about being who we are, no matter who we play.
“I guess it was more just about putting in a performance that fits in with the standards that we set and how we want to play, regardless of who’s in front of us.”
Bearing in mind that a significant amount of the Brisbane Broncos squad was here just a few months ago representing Australia in the Ashes Series, how much does that help them?
“I guess it gives them an insight into the crowds and the hostility and things like that, but I do believe that this game on Thursday night will be a whole other level.”
Having played in the grand final and Challenge Cup final, is this a more unique game? “Yeah, I think it’s on the same pedestal as those.
“There’s silverware up for grabs, so yeah, it’s a massive game, no doubt about it.”
Finally, what would it do for Hull KR, and for the area and community in general, if they were to be crowned World Champions?
“Oh, I think it would be massive, it’s definitely the biggest game in the club’s history for sure, so to win that, I think it would give us confidence going into the Super League season.
“But I think it would just be an unexplainable feeling for the fans and the community of East Hull.”
