Headline act seals historic treble for Hull KR
Hull Kingston Rovers celebrated a milestone that will echo through the annals of rugby league after their dominant Grand Final display against Wigan at Old Trafford sealed a historic treble. In a season many thought would remain a tale of near misses, Willie Peters’s men delivered a performance that left little doubt they are now Super League’s premier side.
Turning point: a swift autumn of fortune
The campaign began with Hull KR cast as rugby league’s great bridesmaids, a club haunted by a lack of major trophies and final‑h hurdle heartbreaks. Yet a summer of fulfilment began with Challenge Cup success, and the sense of momentum carried into the league decider. From the opening minutes it was clear this Robins side were different—poised, disciplined and relentless when it mattered most.
Clinical execution lifts the treble dream
Wigan entered as reigning champions and flagbearers of consistency, but Hull KR attacked with a precision that reflected their gradual ascent from underdogs to favourites. After a nervy start, the Robins surged ahead and never relinquished their advantage. A pivotal moment arrived when Brad O’Neill was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Tyrone May, and Hull KR pounced: Mikey Lewis sliced through for a try, with a follow‑up from Joe Burgess extending the lead.
Be it the rapid changes of pace, crisp ball handling, or the finishing touch of a clinical finishing sequence, Hull KR’s performance was marked by timely execution. Rhyse Martin’s successful penalty just before half-time steadied the ship, and when Harry Smith struck early in the second half, a fightback from Wigan never fully materialised. Martin added another crucial penalty and the Robins’ lead was restored to a comfortable margin.
Capitalising on momentum: Litten seals the deal
Jez Litten capped a city-wide celebration of persistence and progression by finishing a well-worked move to push Hull KR 12 points clear late in the contest. It was a moment that encapsulated the night: a team that had learned to win, and a squad that had finally shed the burden of years of near misses.
Behind the scenes: Peters’ remarkable rebuild
Willie Peters has overseen a transformation from a club bottom of the Super League in 2020 to treble winners in 2023. His supporters and staff embraced the trophy-laden crescendo with hugs and tears, a reflection of a season that transcended conventional expectations. “There’s only been four teams who’ve won the treble and nobody has won the treble twice, which tells you how hard it is,” Peters said, praising his squad for their energy during decisive periods.
The aftermath: legacy secured, future bright
In a match that underscored Hull KR’s evolution, the Robins showed they can boss major occasions with poise. It was a night when the 20,000-plus KR faithful could celebrate a historic trio of trophies and a season that redefined the club’s identity. Even the hardest heads of Wigan’s camp conceded the result was earned on merit, with head coach Matt Peet acknowledging Hull KR’s energy and execution.
The clinching moment—Burgess’s late try—felt almost ceremonial, a signal that the landscape of Super League has shifted. The once-unthinkable treble is now a reality, and Hull KR stand as the standard-bearers for a new era in English rugby league.
What this means for the competition
Hull KR’s triumph redefines expectations around the league and signals a potential shift in power dynamics. With a core group now seasoned by experience and success, the Robins head into the future as a benchmark for consistency, recruitment, and tactical clarity in a sport that rewards momentum and belief.
