Warrington Wolves secured their place in the Super League semi-finals with a convincing 35-12 win over defending champions Hull KR in an eliminator match at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The victory not only propels the Wolves into a showdown with Leeds Rhinos on September 25, but also marks the club's first semi-final appearance since the 2024 season after missing the playoffs the previous year.
The match also signalled the end of Willie Peters' tenure as Hull KR head coach. Peters, who guided the club to its historic 2025 Super League title, saw his tenure conclude after the defeat, despite the pride he expressed for his squad's effort.
Early on, Warrington established a narrow 12-6 lead at the break. The first half opened with a brilliant grubber kick from George Williams that was mishandled by Joe Burgess, allowing Ben Currie to scoop up the ball and dive over for the opening try. Ewan Irwin added the conversion, putting the home side ahead 6-0.
Hull KR responded quickly when Arthur Mourgue sliced through the defence and set up a spectacular try for Burgess, narrowing the gap. Warrington's discipline paid dividends as Irwin slotted a penalty for an off‑side infringement, extending the lead to eight points within the first fifteen minutes.
Both teams then exchanged near‑misses, with Ashton and Burgess each seeing their wing‑side runs cut short by robust defensive pressure. Just before halftime, a dazzling 70‑metre sprint from Mourgue to Burgess culminated in a try that was converted, bringing the score to 12-6. The moment was capped by Kelepi Tanginoa’s break, which found Matty Ashton racing in for his 100th Super League try. Irwin’s conversion struck the post, but the half‑time tally remained in Warrington's favour.
The second half turned dramatically three minutes in when Peta Hiku was shown a red card for a punch on Williams. Although the impact appeared minimal, the referee deemed it sufficient to send Hiku off, leaving the Wolves with twelve men for the remainder of the game. Warrington seized the opportunity immediately, swinging the ball wide for Ashton to claim his second try of the night.
The try was controversially awarded despite concerns of a forward pass, and the score moved to 16-6. Hull KR, now reduced to twelve men as well after a later sending‑off, fought back. In the 53rd minute, a breakaway by Burgess was finished by Dean Hadley, who powered over for a try. Mourgue’s conversion trimmed the deficit to 16-12, reigniting tension among the home crowd.
Warrington responded with a decisive interception by James Bentley, which set up Ashton for his third try, completing a hat‑trick and pushing the lead to 20-12. Albert Hopoate then added a corner‑angle dive, and Irwin’s reliable boot extended the margin to 26-12. The final minutes saw Williams add a late drop‑goal, and Toby King capped the scoring with a try, sealing a 35-12 triumph. The Wolves’ dominance was evident, but the match also featured moments of sportsmanship.
As the final whistle blew, the crowd applauded outgoing Hull KR coach Willie Peters for the dynasty he built, while Hull KR’s Joe Burgess celebrated with his family, reflecting on his own ambitions for the club. In post‑match interviews, Peters addressed Sky Sports, acknowledging that discipline had been a recurring issue for his side and praising his players for their resilience despite the red‑card setback.
He expressed pride in the memories created over his four‑year spell and highlighted Peta Hiku’s contributions over three seasons, despite the unfortunate incident. Warrington’s head coach Sam Burgess also spoke to Sky Sports, commending his squad’s performance and noting that the team had left several opportunities on the table, particularly in the first half. He emphasized the importance of precision and suggested that a more clinical approach could have secured an even earlier victory.
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 advance to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3. Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors will host Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, September 26, at 5.30 p.m.
on Sky Sports, completing the second semi‑final fixture. The Super League playoffs continue to deliver high‑stakes drama, with the final stages promising thrilling encounters as clubs vie for a coveted place in the season‑ending Grand Final. The Wolves’ decisive win over Hull KR underscores their intent to challenge for the title, while Hull KR’s coach and players reflect on a season of both triumphs and hard‑earned lessons.