Hull KR Complete a Historic Treble with Grand Final Masterclass
In front of a festive crowd at Old Trafford, Hull KR scripted a fairy-tale ending to a season that defied the odds and rewrote the club’s history. The Robins defeated Wigan Warriors 24-6 to become only the fifth team in Super League history to win the Grand Final, sealing a dramatic treble after lifting both the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield earlier in 2025. Their triumph marks a landmark moment not just for Hull KR, but for the modern era of English rugby league.
Key Moments That Decided the Final
The match swung decisively in Hull KR’s favour after a contentious early incident. Bevan French’s dazzling early run threatened to put Wigan ahead, but a sharp piece of refereeing and a string of big moments for Hull KR kept the scoreboard in their favour. The turning point arrived when Bradford-born talent Luke O’Neill, who had early involvement in a physical scuffle on Tyrone May, was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tip tackle. The sanction, left to interpretation by some, became a catalyst for Hull KR’s decisive period of domination.
With Wigan pressed higher, Mikey Lewis soared into a clever dummy and touched down for Hull KR’s first try in front of the Stretford End, illustrating the Robins’ intent to press on from the outset. Shortly after, Hull KR extended their advantage when Joe Burgess crossed the line following a slick set from the wingers, punishing the absence of Wigan’s full-strength of defenders as the National Stadium buzzed with expectation.
Adam Keighran’s long-range penalty goal offered a glimmer of hope for Wigan at the end of a bruising first half, and Harry Smith replied with a guided finish that pulled the Warriors back within eight. Yet the decisive drive belonged to Hull KR, as Jez Litten found a gap and sliced through the line to stretch the advantage. Burgess added a late try, sealing a match that had gradually moved beyond Wigan’s reach as the Robins embraced their opportunity to rewrite the club’s ledger.
Why This Grand Final Stood Out
Compared with last year’s tense, low-scoring affair, 2025 delivered a display of attritional football and fearless execution. Hull KR arrived as a team transformed by Willie Peters, their coach who has steered them with relentless improvement and an ability to maximise each player’s strengths. The triumph is widely considered a testament to team unity and strategic discipline as much as individual brilliance.
The final whistle was the culmination of years of struggle and resurgence for Hull KR. From relegation near the Million Pound Game in 2016 to bottom-placed finishes in Super League, the Robins have climbed a steep ladder. This win is not merely a trophy; it is a validation of a multi-season project that has built resilience, improved squad depth, and a distinctive, unselfish style of play.
What the Win Means for Hull KR and the Sport
The treble seals the 2025 season as a watershed in Hull KR’s history. The club’s return to the highest echelons of English rugby league after decades away from the pinnacle is now part of a broader narrative about the evolving balance of power within Super League. It also raises an intriguing question for 2026: can Hull KR sustain this level of performance and push even further, perhaps challenging for back-to-back honours?
Be it the tactical discipline of their defense, the speed of their counter-attack, or the shared leadership across a squad that appears to thrive on pressure, Hull KR’s Grand Final win was a demonstration of depth, character, and culture. The fans in attendance—alongside a nationwide audience—will remember this night as the moment when a club finally delivered the dream they have chased for so long.
Final Thoughts: A Moment to Treasure
As the celebrations began, Hull KR’s players and staff understood they had written a page of rugby league history. This was more than a single success; it was a testament to a long arc of improvement, a blueprint for future generations, and a reminder that in sport, time, patience, and belief can converge to produce something genuinely special.
