Imagine the roar of the crowd, the electric atmosphere, and then... absolute euphoria! Hull KR just etched their name in Super League history, achieving something only four other teams have ever done. But here's the kicker: they didn't just win; they conquered, securing a historic treble. Think about it – Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield, and the Grand Final trophy, all in one season!
Hull KR delivered a performance for the ages, vanquishing the Wigan Warriors 24-6 at the iconic Old Trafford. This victory solidifies their place among the Super League elite, joining the ranks of Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, and ironically, their defeated rivals, Wigan. Securing the Grand Final trophy completes Hull KR’s 2025 treble, adding to their earlier Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield triumphs. It marks their first league championship since way back in 1984.
A pivotal moment arrived in the first half when Wigan's Brad O'Neill received a yellow card for a dangerous 'tip tackle' on Tyrone May. Hull KR ruthlessly exploited this advantage, with Mikey Lewis and Joe Burgess crossing the whitewash while Wigan were a man down. While Harry Smith managed to narrow the gap for Wigan, Jez Litten's opportunistic try and a second score from Burgess sealed the deal, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Hull KR faithful.
Wigan, who themselves enjoyed a stellar 2024 season, bagging the domestic treble and the World Club Challenge, surprisingly struggled to find their rhythm. Early on, Bevan French made a dazzling run following a Liam Marshall kick, seemingly putting Wigan ahead. But hold on! Replays revealed a crucial fumble just before grounding the ball, denying them the score.
The tension was palpable from the outset. An earlier hard hit from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on French set the tone for a fiery encounter. The controversy reached its peak when O'Neill was sent to the sin bin for his tackle on May – a tackle many felt deserved a harsher punishment. But here's where it gets controversial... Was the yellow card the defining moment, or were Hull KR simply unstoppable regardless?
Capitalizing on their numerical advantage, Hull KR wasted no time. Lewis, with a mesmerizing dummy, sliced through the Wigan defense, scoring his 21st try of the season right in front of the Wigan supporters at the Stretford End. O’Neill's absence continued to haunt Wigan as Hull KR skillfully moved the ball wide, allowing Burgess to touch down in the corner.
Wigan managed to salvage two points before halftime thanks to Adam Keighran's ambitious long-range penalty goal. And, mirroring Lewis' earlier brilliance, Jai Field's dummy created an opening for Harry Smith to score. But this is the part most people miss... Keighran's missed conversion proved costly. Rhyse Martin's subsequent goal extended Hull KR's lead, and Litten's try put them firmly in control. Burgess' late interception and try put the icing on the cake for Hull KR’s memorable victory.
The contrast between this year's Grand Final and the tense, low-scoring affair between these two sides in 2024 was stark. Hull KR completely rewrote the script, delivering a masterclass in attacking rugby. Gone was the hesitancy and nervousness. This was a Hull KR team that knew they were on the brink of history and seized their moment with both hands.
Despite appearing slightly off the pace in the opening stages and fortunate to avoid conceding when French's try was disallowed, Hull KR displayed remarkable composure. They showed no signs of being overawed by the occasion, despite being just 80 minutes away from completing their historic treble.
Much of the pre-match discussion centered on Hull KR's rollercoaster past – from relegation in the Million Pound Game in 2016 to finishing bottom of Super League in 2020. Outside of some second-tier accolades, their last major triumph was four decades ago. However, bolstered by the experience of the retiring Waerea-Hargreaves and the veteran presence of Micky McIlorum, they dismantled Wigan with ruthless efficiency.
Lewis, the Robins' talisman, has consistently improved in recent seasons. This victory feels like the moment he and his team truly came of age. It wasn't about individual brilliance; it was a collective effort, a testament to the team's spirit and Willie Peters' coaching acumen. Under Peters' guidance, Hull KR has improved year after year. Could they become even more dominant in 2026?
For Wigan, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their 2025 campaign, concluding without a single trophy after their clean sweep in 2024. Despite boasting talented players like French and Field and retaining 15 players from last season's final, they couldn't match Hull KR's dominance. Matt Peet experiences his first trophyless season as Wigan's head coach.
Wigan's performance was uncharacteristically lackluster. Aside from a promising opening 10 minutes, they struggled to gain a foothold in the game. Since Peet's arrival in 2022, Wigan has played with composure and discipline, leading to numerous trophies. However, they seemed unable to cope with Hull KR's physical and aggressive approach, which ultimately led to O'Neill's downfall and Wigan's struggles in the first half.
While Wigan's struggles contributed to their defeat, credit must be given to Hull KR, who executed their game plan flawlessly and were sensational in possession, attack, and defense. This wasn't the Wigan we're accustomed to seeing, particularly as they appeared to lack answers when the game turned against them.
In their post-match reactions, Hull KR's head coach Willie Peters expressed immense pride in his team, emphasizing their fighting spirit and ability to overcome a nervous start. Captain Elliot Minchella acknowledged their initial struggles and the luck they had in the opening 20 minutes, but praised the team's experienced players for taking control and securing the victory. Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet graciously conceded that Hull KR deserved the win, attributing their success to hard work and a sense of destiny.
Hull KR: Mourgue; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, McIlorum, Waerea-Hargreaves, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella. Interchanges: Litten, Luckley, Whitbread, Martin.
Wigan: Field; Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Byrne, O'Neill, Thompson, Walters, Farrell, Ellis. Interchanges: Harvard, Nsemba, Mago, Leeming.
Referee: Liam Moore.
So, what do you think? Was O'Neill's yellow card the turning point, or was Hull KR simply destined to win? And looking ahead, can Hull KR build a dynasty, or will Wigan bounce back stronger next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
