Warrington Wolves secured their place in the Super League semi‑finals with a commanding 35‑12 win over defending champions Hull KR in the elimination match at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The victory not only guarantees a showdown with Leeds Rhinos on September 25, but also marks the Wolves' first appearance in a semi‑final since the 2024 campaign, after missing the playoffs in 2025. The match also signalled the end of Willie Peters' tenure as Hull KR head coach.
Peters, who guided the club to a historic first‑ever Super League title in 2025, saw his spell with the Robins come to a close following the heavy defeat. The turning point arrived early in the second half when Peta Hiku was shown a red card for punching George Williams. The dismissal left Hull KR with just twelve men, a disadvantage they never fully recovered from.
Warrington entered the break with a slender 12‑6 lead, built on a converted Ben Currie try, a penalty goal from Ewan Irwin and a try by Matty Ashton. Hull KR answered before halftime with a spectacular effort from Joe Burgess, set up by Arthur Mourgue, which narrowed the gap and hinted at a tighter contest. The second half opened with Hiku's dismissal, but the Wolves wasted no time exploiting the numerical advantage. Ashton crossed the line twice more, completing a hat‑trick, while Albert Hopoate added a further try to extend the lead.
Hull KR managed a consolation try through Dean Hadley, but a late drop‑goal from Williams and a final try by Toby King sealed a comprehensive 35‑12 win for Warrington. Looking ahead, Warrington will travel to Leeds for the semi‑final on Friday, September 25, with an 8 p.m.
kickoff on Sky Sports. The winner will move on to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3. Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors host Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, September 26, at 5.30 p.m.
in the other semi‑final. The game began with a classic piece of rugby league vision from Hull KR's Williams, who executed a perfect grubber kick. Burgess gathered the ball but fumbled, allowing Currie to pounce and score under the posts. Irwin’s conversion gave the home side an early 6‑0 lead, much to the delight of the packed Halliwell Jones crowd.
Discipline proved costly for Hull KR throughout the first half. Irwin added a penalty for an off‑side infringement, pushing the Wolves ahead by eight points within the first fifteen minutes. Both teams created try‑scoring opportunities, with Ashton and Burgess each forcing the line‑out but being tackled short of the corner.
With just four minutes left before the break, Hull KR produced a dazzling 70‑metre run. Jack Broadbent fed Mourgue, who sidestepped defenders and sprinted down the wing before passing to Burgess for the try. Mourgue converted, trimming the deficit to 12‑10. The dead‑ball whistle soon followed, but Warrington responded instantly.
Kelepi Tanginoa burst through the defensive line, delivering the ball to Ashton, who dove over for his 100th Super League try. Irwin’s conversion struck the post, leaving the Wolves ahead 12‑6 at halftime. The second half began dramatically when Hiku was sent off for a punch on Williams. Although the blow lacked force, the referee deemed it sufficient for a red card, reducing Warrington to twelve men.
The Wolves, however, turned the situation into a scoring chance, swinging the ball wide for Ashton to score his second try of the night. The try was controversially allowed despite concerns of a forward pass, extending the lead to 16‑6.
Hull KR, now a man down, fought back. In the 53rd minute, Burgess broke away and set up Dean Hadley, who powered over for a try.
Mourgue’s conversion narrowed the margin to 16‑12, reigniting hopes for a comeback. Tension mounted as the clock ticked down, but a pivotal interception by James Bentley gave Warrington a lifeline. Ashton collected the ball and sprinted away to complete his hat‑trick, putting the Wolves back in firm control at 22‑12. Albert Hopoate then added a brilliant corner‑line dive, and Irwin’s reliable boot pushed the score to 28‑12.
To add insult to injury, Williams slotted a late drop‑goal, and with a minute remaining, Toby King crossed for the final try, sealing the 35‑12 triumph. After the final whistle, Hull KR’s outgoing coach Willie Peters received a standing ovation from the travelling supporters, acknowledging the dynasty he built over the past four years.
Burgess, who also serves as Warrington’s head coach, celebrated with his family on the field, reflecting on the significance of the win for the club’s future. In post‑match comments, Peters told Sky Sports, "Discipline has cost us a lot this year, and unfortunately it did again tonight, but I can't fault the players.
I'm really proud of them. They kept fighting until the end. Warrington played really well and have been a very good team all year. I wish them all the best, but I'm really, really proud of this group and what they've achieved over the last four years.
We've made a lot of beautiful memories. When you're down to 12 men it makes things difficult, but we still put ourselves in the game.
We scored at the other end, went two points ahead and then, against the run of play, they scored. Fatigue always creeps in and it did towards the back end of the game. Peta has been great for us for three years.
What he did was probably the wrong thing, but he's been outstanding for me throughout that time." Warrington’s player‑coach Sam Burgess added, "I'm proud of the group. It was a strange game, but we're pleased to come through and get another week together, which is what we came for.
In the first half we felt really dominant and were disappointed with the scoreline. We left two or three tries out there and probably a couple more in the second half. We've just got to understand how important precision is because, over the course of a game, those moments add up.
We could have finished the game much earlier." The Super League playoffs continue to unfold live on Sky Sports, with the semi‑finals set for September 25 and 26, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3.