By Phil Westren 19/2/26
Hull Kingston Rovers, nicknamed ‘The Robins’, take on Brisbane Broncos this evening in rugby league’s World Club Challenge.
Ahead of the big game at the MKM Stadium, BBC Radio Humberside contacted me to check out the availability to link with legendary former Penzance & Newlyn rugby union player Graham Paul, now aged 91, who, after joining Hull KR back in 1958 enjoyed an illustrious professional career.
The radio station was keen to hear my good friend Graham’s thoughts about this evening’s contest, so I took the opportunity to visit his home at Newlyn, where he lives with his lovely wife Helena, to record his answers to questions given on my good old phone!
Playing mainly at fly-half, Graham had been an outstanding rugby union player for the Pirates and Cornwall prior to his move ‘Up North’, where his try-scoring then as a wing was phenomenal. Indeed, such was his ability and speed, when scoring five tries broadcast one Saturday afternoon on BBC’s ‘Grandstand’, renowned commentator Eddie Waring dubbed Graham ‘The Cornish Express’!
After featuring for Hull KR for six seasons, Graham returned to Cornwall in 1965 and became landlord of The Sportsman’s Arms in Heamoor. He had made 197 appearances for his club, scored 116 tries, played for a Great Britain rugby league side against France in 1963 and, in 1964, played in rugby league’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley versus Widnes.
As for Hull KR’s world stage match this evening, Graham said:
"It's going to be a big game, no doubt about that. To the boys I would say, stay calm, your game is good, back it. You know your game, stick to your game and you have every chance of winning."
To hear more of Graham’s thoughts, please link to:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0n0d6k3
and:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg1d95vjd2o
Photographs displayed are as follows:

Graham pictured recently holding a copy of ‘The Robins’, An Official History of Hull Kingston Rovers. Graham told me that he was selected on the wing in 2 x Hull KR Dream Teams.

The first covered the period 1882-1982 and the second 1945-2016.

A young Graham Paul is pictured left in a Pirates Colts team, circa 1949.
Pictured right is his late good friend Graham Nicholas.

Graham eyes the tryline when playing for Hull KR.

Hull KR’s team are pictured before their journey to Wembley in 1964. Graham is pictured third left in the front.

This Hull KR heritage image highlights just how good Graham was.