BEN Galea says Saturday's 'do-or-die derby' is a time for heroes to step to the fore and claim their place in history.

In the biggest meeting between the two sides since the 1980 Challenge Cup final, Rovers and Hull will go head-to-head at the KC for 80 minutes of knockout play-off rugby.

And Galea admits it's his biggest game since winning the NRL Grand Final with Wests Tigers in 2005.

"It is a time for heroes to emerge," he told the Mail. "It promises to be a massive occasion and for us hopefully this will be our first step towards Old Trafford."

With Hull boasting one of Super League's most impressive home records, and two wins over KR already this season, Rovers head into the game as slight underdogs.

But Galea says that will count for nothing come kick-off at 6pm on Saturday.

"As long as we win this game they can have the first two this year," said Galea.

"Nobody remembers who beat who in the regular season when the sides meet in the play-offs.

"It's been a long season and every team wanted to be in the play-offs at this moment in time.

"We have achieved that and it's time for all the senior players to step up and lead the rest of the team.

"I don't think the occasion will get the better of them.

"We have all played big games in front of big crowds so that won't be a factor."

Despite being full of confidence, KR head into the game on the back of consecutive defeats to Wigan and Crusaders.

They also enter the contest looking to put last year's failure in the play-offs fully behind them, when they lost to both Leeds and Wigan.

"This will be the biggest game I'll have played since the 2005 Grand Final back home," Galea said.

"Last season's play-off game against Wigan is up there as well, but the result didn't go our way that night. We have to make sure it does on Saturday.

"We felt we played okay at Crusaders but not fantastic.

"Before that, against Wigan, I thought we were hot and cold. But the eight games before that we were solid and that's what we need to be."

Galea is expected to play against Hull despite picking up a series of knocks in recent weeks.

A fractured eye socket in the 44-18 win at Salford meant he missed the Wigan defeat.

On his return at Crusaders, he required a few stitches above an eye wound and took a blow to the ear.

But he says nothing will stop him from running out at a packed KC.

"I would not miss this game for anything," he said.

"Nothing would stop me. Bumps and bruises are part of the game and a few stitches won't stop me."