England playmaker Mikey Lewis has been cleared to play in the World Club Challenge, as the mind games between Broncos coach Michael Maguire and Hull KR counterpart Willie Peters begin.
Despite previously indicating that he would follow NRL protocol by naming a complete match day squad with his starting side defined on Tuesday, Maguire has decided to adopt the Super League protocol of not announcing Brisbane’ starting 13 until 90 minutes before kick-off.
In contrast, Peters went against the Super League norm and named his line-up, including former Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers and Bulldogs prop Tom Amone for his Hull KR debut.
Centres Peta Hiku and Oliver Gildart, winger Joe Burgess, halfback Tyrone May and prop Sauaso Sue are other former NRL players in the Hull KR starting side, while Rhyse Martin, Jai Whitbread and Karl Lawton are on the bench.Â
Peters had been sweating on the match review committee to rule on incidents involving Lewis and a number of other players in Hull KR’s shock season opening 17-16 loss to York last week. Â
As Brisbane Broncos trained at Hull’s Hymers College in the shadows of WCC venue MKM Stadium, the match review committee handed down its decisions and it was good news for Lewis.
The 2024 Man of Steel, who was sent to the sin bin for his challenge on Liam Harris, was charged with a grade three trip, receiving five penalty points and a fine.
Under the Super League judiciary system six penalty points incurs a suspension. Lewis’ previous offence, striking – which would have resulted in loading – expired just a matter of days ago.
Hull KR half Mikey Lewis was charged over a trip on York’s Liam Harris in the season opening Super League match.
©SWPIx
A trio of other Robins players were charged but escaped suspension: centre Peta Hiku (late contact on a kicker), Elliot Minchella (head contact) and Jai Whitbread (late contact on a passer).
Maguire offered no opinion on whether Mikey Lewis should have been suspended for a trip in that game or on other incidents. “I’ll let the RFL sort that out,” he said.
The two times NRL premiership winning mentor also played down the significance of Hull KR’s stunning defeat to newly promoted York in the opening match of their Super League defence.
“They’ve obviously got their eye on what’s ahead, too, so I don’t look too deeply into a performance. And I know from my time over here what this game means to everyone. It means a lot to us. We’ve got to be at our best.
“No doubt it will be a quick start and they’ll come out of the blocks. What we want to achieve, too, is how we want to play.”
Ashes referee Liam Moore, meanwhile, will take charge of the match, returning after controlling the 2024 WCC between Wigan and Penrith.
The 30-year-old was also in the middle for the First Test of the Kangaroo Tour at Wembley last year.
Touch judges are Matty Lynn and Richard Thompson, video ref is Chris Kendall and reserve referee is Liam Rush.
The green card for feigning injury – a Super League rule – will not be in force for the WCC, it has been announced by the RFL.Â