Hull KR's unbeaten start ended as Wigan Warriors deliver on champion pedigree

[josie andrews]

The Warriors ensured Rovers wouldn't make it to ten consecutive wins.

Hull KR's unbeaten start to the season is over after being defeated on home soil by Super League champions Wigan Warriors 28-12.

The Robins, who have had an excellent start to the season, went to war in a bruising encounter at Sewell Group Craven Park but for the fourth consecutive time, they came unstuck to Matt Peet's side, who had trailed for the majority of the game but won it in the final 15 minutes as tries from Harry Smith, Jai Field and Abbas Miski saw them home.

For Rovers, this will be a tough one to take. They have now lost four consecutive games against the Warriors, the side who denied them any silverware last year. Hull KR have won 24 of their last 29 matches. But four of those losses are to Wigan. This was also their first loss on home soil in ten games. It is clear that Wigan are the side who pose the biggest threat to their silverware hunt once again.

The scoreline blew out early but this was a tussle between the competition's two best teams. For the majority of the game, this was full-throttle, no holds barred rugby league.

Willie Peters made one change. It saw Arthur Mourgue come in for the injured Mikey Lewis but that resulted in a reshuffle. Mourgue went to fullback and Jez Litten moved to the halves. That meant Jack Broadbent dropped to the bench to offer options to change things up if required.

Sewell Group Craven Park is famous for its atmosphere but even by its own high standards, it was electric inside the ground here. Fans flocked in well over an hour before and by kick-off, the fans were raring to go. They screamed for a penalty at every opportunity, roared at every half break, cheered every big hit. It wasn't just the players who were desperate to get this win, but the fans too.

After eight minutes of pleading, the penalty came, then the try. It was Joe Burgess with the score, an acrobatic finish in the corner after great work from Oliver Gildart, who got around the outside of his man then provided the offload for the finish. Mourgue superbly converted from the touchline to extend the lead.

It was a blood and thunder affair. These two teams boast the best packs in the competition and it was clear to see that both wanted to prove their superiority. Dean Hadley and Junior Nsemba had a coming together, Kaide Ellis and Elliot Minchella were at each other all game. It was a feisty contest and it was clear what this game meant to both.

After a back-and-forth, Wigan equalised. However, it's a try Rovers will be fuming with. Micky McIlorum lost control of the ball at ruck, which resulted in a scrum.

There was then confusion among the Robins ranks as Jack Broadbent was primed to come on for the hooker. However, after hesitation, the sub wasn't made and McIlorum went to defend on the wing to see the play out. Wigan smartly raided that edge, passed the ball across McIlorum and Zack Eckersley sprinted the length to score an easy try. The Rovers players, most notably Joe Burgess, was livid. Harry Smith's conversion levelled it.

With that try, Wigan had a period of superiority. Rovers started falling off tackles and letting away offloads, giving Wigan more threat across the field.

But Rovers weathered and against the run of play, got back into the lead. Smith's kick trickled out and gave Rovers a seven-tackle set. They stormed up field and kept the ball alive. Sam Luckley's offload went to ground but it was picked up by Mourgue. The ball was moved to Broadbent, he found May who produced a wonderful double pump that caught out Wigan, and Hiku was able to finish it off.

Rovers thought they'd extended the lead before the break when May went over but it was ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up. The half ended with the teams at each other's throats after Smith was barged out of play. Rovers had a slender lead after an explosive half.

The hosts thought they had scored again just after the break, but again were denied by the video ref when Burgess was judged to have fumbled when trying to ground a kick Wigan bravely tried to let go dead.

That resulted in a seven-tackle set, and from it, Wigan marched up field and scored in the corner. Jack Wardle's acceleration got him around Broadbent and able to keep Mourgue away from him. Crucially, Smith's kick went wide, leaving Rovers two points ahead with 55 minutes played.

The hostilities continued. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves took objection to Brad O'Neill having a slap at a team-mate and both teams were looking to physically hurt the other. It was a good, old-fashioned ding-dong.

With 12 minutes to play, Wigan went ahead for the first time. Tyrone May conceded a six again needlessly and when Smith saw a gap in the Rovers line, he took it, scrambling over to spark frantic scenes in the away end.

But the real dagger to the heart came three minutes later. Bevan French had been quiet most of the evening but then conjured up some magic when Joe Burgess flung a pass inside when heading for touch. French stepped one, then another, then got a call on his shoulder to pass. There was Jai Field, equally explosive, and he galloped away to score under the sticks. With that, the game was up. So was the unbeaten start.

Abbas Miski added another late on after a Joe Burgess handling error. It felt insignificant by then though.

Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Jez Litten, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargraves, Dean Hadley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Elliot Minchella. Subs: Jack Broadbent, Jai Whitbread, Jack Brown, Sam Luckley.

Tries: Burgess (8), Hiku (31)

Goals: Mourgue 2/2


Wigan: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Sam Walters, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Brad O'Neill, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill.

Tries: Eckersley (20), Wardle (55), Smith (68), Field (71), Miski (78)

Goals: Smith 4/5

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... source=nba

[josie andrews]

Warriors win away at Hull KR

* Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Hull KR at Sewell Group Craven Park on Friday Night.

* Tries from Eckersley, Wardle, Field, Smith and Miski earned the Warriors the win.

* FT | Hull KR 12-28 Wigan Warriors.

MATCH REPORT AS WIGAN WARRIORS WIN AGAINST HULL KR AT SEWELL GROUP CRAVEN PARK ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

It was an intense first 40 at Sewell Group Craven Park as Joe Burgess went over for the first score. Zach Eckersley levelled the game with a great supporting effort to Bevan French as Patrick Mago came off the interchange bench to make his 100th appearance for Wigan. A converted Peta Hiku effort on the half hour saw Hull KR in with the 12-6 lead at the break.

Four second half tries from Wigan saw Jake Wardle race through the defence, Harry Smith dart over and a racing finish from Jai Field. Abbas Miski added the final effort of the evening to see Wigan overturn the deficit to take home the two points with a 28-12 victory on the road.

Report

After a feisty opening five minutes, Hull KR broke the deadlock through former Warrior Joe Burgess who went in for a diving effort on the left edge. The video referee was called in for assistance but the try was awarded to give the home side an early advantage. Mourgue’s conversion from the touchline was good as the Robins led 6-0.

Zach Eckersley got the leveller for Wigan on 20 minutes, a great offload from Abbas Miski allowed Bevan French to find a gap, feeding Zach Eckersley who raced 70m to score close to the uprights. Harry Smith added the two and it was 6-apiece.

Peta Hiku swung the game back in Hull KR’s favour 10 minutes later as a gap opened up on the attack for the centre to strike. Arthur Mourgue converted again to make it 12-6 with 9 minutes until the half-time hooter.

Hull KR had a further effort denied shortly afterwards by Tyrone May as the ball went forward in the build-up for the hosts to hold on to the 12-6 lead at the turnaround.

Hull KR once again thought they’d extended their lead 5 minutes into the second half as a kick-through was knocked on as Joe Burgess tried to ground the effort. Wigan then went up the other end and a great turn of pace saw Jake Wardle burst through the line to score. Harry Smith’s touchline conversion went the wrong side of the posts as Hull KR held the narrow 12-10 advantage.

A physical encounter continued as both sides had to put in some solid defence, with Wigan continuing to look for another score and they did so in the 67th minute. A six-again for failing to clear the ruck allowed Wigan a full set in good field position and a smart switch from Harry Smith saw the half-back dart over to put Wigan ahead for the first time in the match. Smith converted his own effort for 16-12 to the Warriors as we entered the final 10 minutes.

Wigan extended the lead moments later, a big tackle from Abbas Miski forcing a loose ball from KR which Bevan French collected to send a galloping Jai Field racing through the middle of the park to go in under the sticks. Smith converted and it was 22-12 with 7 minutes to go.

Abbas Miski then looked to have got over in the dying minutes, the video referee had a second look with the winger grounding the ball to notch Wigan further ahead. Harry Smith converted to confirm a 28-12 victory on the road for the Warriors.

Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Jez Litten, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Hadley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Elliot Minchella.

Interchange: Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Broadbent, Jack Brown.

18th Player: Eribe Doro.

Tries: Burgess (7′), Hiku (29′)

Goals: Mourgue 2/2

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Sam Walters, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

Interchange: Brad O’Neill, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill.

18th Player: Jack Farrimond.

Tries: Eckersley (20′), Wardle (45′), Smith (67′), Field (71′), Miski (77′)

Goals: Smith 4/5

Referee: Jack Smith.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/04/ ... t-hull-kr/

[josie andrews]

Peet: Kept being brave

* Matt Peet has reflected on our Betfred Super League Round Seven win at Hull KR.

* Peet: “We knew at half time if we tidied up a few areas we could come home to get the two points.”

* FT | Hull KR 12-28 Wigan Warriors.

MATT PEET PRAISED HIS SIDE’S ‘BRAVERY’ AS WIGAN WARRIORS CAME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT HULL KR AT SEWELL GROUP CRAVEN PARK.

Despite trailing at the break, the Warriors scored late tries through Harry Smith, Jai Field and Abbas Miski to hand Hull KR their first defeat of the season.

Speaking post-match, Peet said: “It was a tough game that certainly could have gone either way. I was pleased we managed to continue being brave with the ball, but credit to them for the intensity and physicality at the start. Hull KR won the start, we won the finish, but that’s why it was important we kept being brave with the ball.”

On the half time message, Peet said: “We needed more because if we’d have kept doing the same, we’d probably have got beat. We knew Hull KR start games physically and that some of their the players are best when fresh, whereas some of our players are at their best as the game goes on. We hung in there at times, but we knew at half time if we tidied up a few areas we could come home to get the two points.”

Praising the middle unit, Peet said: “I liked all of our middles tonight – every one came up against fierce competitors. Sam’s game is getting better since he’s got more minutes, and I’d also like to mention Patrick Mago on his 100th game. He had some telling contributions that inspired the team which was the same with Tyler and Brad O’Neill.”

Reflecting on the game, Peet said: “It was between proud teams who wanted to compete. The quality in the forwards with the players running off is what that game was all about. That brought the best out of both teams. If we’d have been beaten tonight, we wouldn’t have been any less confident. We’d have learned lessons, and Hull KR will be the same.”

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/04/ ... ing-brave/

[archiekeith]

Good game by two good teams. Like I've said many times the tautological fact I'd the team. Scoring the most points on the board wins. Simple!

[archiekeith]

Good game by two good teams. Like I've said many times the tautological fact I'd the team. Scoring the most points on the board wins. Simple!

Reading all The posts on this game makes me smile when you beat a very good team 28/12 I think ,for me ,the legend " Hull's unbeaten start ended as Wigann Warriors deliver on champion pedigree" says everything! Needed to be said,although I do understand the need of some to micro- manage MP is doing a fine job long may it continue