Warrington Wolves secured a place in the Super League semi‑finals with a convincing 35‑12 win over defending champions Hull KR in the elimination match staged at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The victory not only propels the Wolves into a showdown with Leeds Rhinos on September 25, it also marks their first appearance in a semi‑final since the 2024 campaign after missing the playoffs in 2025. The win also signalled the end of Willie Peters' tenure as Hull KR head coach.
Peters had overseen a historic 2025 season in which the club captured its inaugural Super League title, but the defeat at Warrington brings his spell with the Robins to a close. The turning point arrived early in the second half when Peta Hiku was shown a red card for a punch on George Williams. The dismissal left Hull KR with only twelve men and gave Warrington a decisive advantage that they never relinquished. Warrington entered the break with a slender 12‑6 lead, built on a converted try by Ben Currie, a penalty goal from Ewan Irwin and a score from Matty Ashton.
Hull KR responded before the interval with a spectacular try by Joe Burgess, set up by Arthur Mourgue, which narrowed the gap and hinted at a possible comeback. Once the second half began, the Wolves capitalised on Hiku’s expulsion. Ashton added two more tries, completing a hat‑trick, while Albert Hopoate crossed the line to complete the whitewash. Hull KR managed a consolation try from Dean Hadley, but the damage was already done.
Late in the game, Williams added a drop‑goal and Toby King finished the scoring with a try, sealing the 35‑12 result. The Wolves will travel to Leeds on Friday, September 25, for an 8 p.m.
kickoff broadcast live on Sky Sports, fighting for a place in the Grand Final. The other semi‑final will see Wigan Warriors host Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, September 26, at 5.30 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The match opened with a classic piece of eyes‑up rugby. Williams delivered a perfectly timed grubber kick that Burgess collected, only to fumble it slightly. Currie pounced on the loose ball and scored under the posts.
Irwin’s conversion gave the home side an early 6‑0 lead, energising the packed Halliwell Jones crowd. Discipline proved costly for Hull KR throughout the game. Irwin added a penalty for an off‑side infringement, extending Warrington’s lead to eight points within the first quarter of the match.
Both teams missed opportunities in the corners when Ashton and Burgess each saw their tries denied by aggressive defensive pressure. With four minutes remaining in the first half, Hull KR produced a breathtaking 70‑metre run.
Jack Broadbent fed Mourgue, who sidestepped defenders before laying the ball off to Burgess for the try. Mourgue’s conversion trimmed the deficit to 12‑6 at the break.
The second half began dramatically. Three minutes in, Hiku’s ill‑advised punch on Williams resulted in a straight red card. Though the contact was light, it was enough to send Hiku to the sin bin for the remainder of the game, leaving the Robins with a numerical disadvantage. Warrington wasted no time exploiting the situation.
They swung the ball wide, allowing Ashton to dash over for his second try of the afternoon. The referee ruled the pass forward, but the decision stood, pushing the Wolves ahead 16‑6 with 35 minutes left on the clock.
Hull KR, now down to twelve men, refused to capitulate. Their persistence paid off in the 53rd minute when Burgess broke through the defense and passed to Dean Hadley, who powered over for a try.
Mourgue’s conversion narrowed the margin to 16‑12, reigniting hopes for a comeback. Tension rose inside the stadium, but a quarter‑time left interception by James Bentley turned the tide.
Bentley’s pick‑six set up Ashton, who sprinted away to complete his hat‑trick and restore a comfortable lead. Albert Hopoate then added a brilliant corner‑line dive, and Irwin’s reliable boot pushed the score to a 16‑point cushion. 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 victory.
The final whistle prompted an extended ovation for departing Hull KR head coach Willie Peters, whose four‑year spell produced a league title and a period of sustained success. Meanwhile, Warrington captain Sam Burgess celebrated on the field with his family, eager to continue building a legacy for the Wolves. Post‑match, Peters addressed Sky Sports, acknowledging the discipline issues that plagued his side: "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 coach Sam Burgess also spoke to Sky Sports, praising his squad: "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 upcoming schedule includes Wakefield Trinity's 26‑16 win over Leigh Leopards on Friday, September 18, and Warrington's own 35‑12 triumph on Saturday, September 19.
The semi‑finals are set for Friday, September 25 (Leeds vs Warrington) and Saturday, September 26 (Wigan vs Wakefield), both airing on Sky Sports. The Super League playoffs will continue through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, with live coverage throughout.