Wigan Warriors inflicted a first defeat of the Super League season upon Hull KR in an absorbing rematch of last year’s Grand Final to remind all observers why they are still the team to beat in 2025.
The reigning Super League champions trailed for most of the evening, but as they have proved so often in recent seasons, when the big moments arrive in big games they so often have an answer for whatever their opponents throw their way.
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They only took the lead for the first time on the night when Harry Smith scored in the final 10 minutes before, three minutes later, a scintillating counterattack saw Jai Field score to open up a 10-point lead in the blink of an eye. There would be no way back from there for the hosts.
Rovers, who have made their best start to a season since they were last crowned champions of England in 1985, fought valiantly in the final stages but ultimately had no answer. They remain top, but the gap between themselves and the Warriors is now just two points, on a night when it could have been as big as six.
Rovers were hampered by the absence of the reigning Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis, who picked up a groin injury in last week’s Challenge Cup win against Hull FC. In his absence, hooker Jez Litten switched to half-back but there would be no doubting that the England international missing out in a game of such high stakes could be crucial.
With the backdrop of another cacophonous atmosphere in East Hull, it was the home side who started well. And it was two former Wigan players who linked up for the opening try to great effect, as Oliver Gildart’s deft pass gave Joe Burgess just enough space to score in the corner courtesy of a magnificent one-handed finish.
But another former Warriors player was at the heart of the error that led to Wigan levelling the scores nine minutes later. Michael McIlorum thought he was being substituted but with changes not permitted at a scrum, he was shunted out wide to defend from the set play and the visitors took full advantage.
Bevan French spotted the misread from Rovers and his crisp pass sent Zach Eckersley away into broken field for a stunning long-range try. Smith converted, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the competition’s two best sides could not be split after the half-hour, with the scores level at 6-6.
However, Rovers regathered themselves superbly after the setback. As half-time approached, they took the lead once again. McIlorum’s withdrawal allowed Litten to return to hooker with Peta Hiku switching from centre to partner Tyrone May, and the two combined to send Hiku across, with Arthur Mourgue converting to make it 12-6.
Wigan would push back as half-time approached but the Rovers defence was superb in keeping the reigning champions at bay, and keeping their six-point lead intact at the break after an absorbing half between two outstanding sides.
Burgess then thought he had scored his second after appearing to ground a May kick, but a painstakingly long video referee decision ultimately adjudged he had dropped the ball.
Within 60 seconds, Warriors surged up the other end of the field and cut the deficit down to just two points as Jake Wardle finished a wonderful move to score a sublime try – though Smith missed the first conversion of the evening, meaning the hosts remained narrowly ahead.
It ebbed and flowed for 20 more pulsating minutes, but as the game entered the final moments, you knew every mistake would be crucial. And when Wigan were awarded a set restart deep into Hull KR territory, they took full advantage as the game entered its final throes as Smith cut through a fading Rovers line to score.
As Rovers decided to chance their arm three minutes later in a desperate bid to reclaim the lead, Wigan seized upon an error from Burgess as French stepped through a gap before providing the killer pass for Field to break away.
Abbas Miski’s late try from another Rovers error then put the seal on a statement win for the champions, and underlined their position as Super League’s premiere side.
