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 propels the Wolves into a showdown with Leeds Rhinos on September 25, but also marks their first semi‑final appearance since the 2024 campaign, after missing the playoffs the previous year. The match also signalled the end of Willie Peters' tenure as head coach of the Robins.
Peters, who guided Hull KR to a historic league title in 2025 – the club’s first ever Super League crown – saw his spell come to a close after the defeat. The turning point arrived early in the second half when Peta Hiku was shown a red card for a punch aimed at George Williams. The incident left Hull KR with only twelve men, a disadvantage they never fully recovered from.
Warrington entered the break with a slim 12‑6 lead, built on a converted try by Ben Currie, a penalty goal from Ewan Irwin, and a try from Matty Ashton. Hull KR had narrowed the gap thanks to a spectacular try by Joe Burgess, set up by Arthur Mourgue, but the home side’s momentum proved decisive. After Hiku’s dismissal, Ashton added two more tries, completing a hat‑trick, while Albert Hopoate also crossed the line to extend the margin.
Hull KR’s only consolation came from a Dean Hadley try, followed by a late drop‑goal from Williams and a final try by Toby King, but the scoreline was already beyond their reach. The Wolves will travel to Leeds on Friday, September 25, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. on Sky Sports, fighting for a place in the Grand Final. The other semi‑final sees Wigan Warriors host Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, September 26, at 5:30 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The game opened with a classic piece of vision from Williams, whose grubber kick was gathered by Burgess, who then fumbled slightly, allowing Currie to scoop up the ball and score under the posts. Irwin’s conversion gave Warrington an early 6‑0 lead in front of a packed Halliwell Jones crowd. Discipline proved costly for Hull KR throughout the encounter.
Warrington capitalised on a penalty for off‑side, with Irwin slotting the goal to push the lead to eight points within the first fifteen minutes. Both sides missed opportunities as Ashton and Burgess each saw a try‑scoring chance denied when they were driven into touch just before grounding the ball. With four minutes remaining in the first half, Hull KR produced a breathtaking 70‑metre run.
Jack Broadbent fed Mourgue, who sidestepped a defender and sprinted down the left wing before passing to Burgess, who finished the move. Mourgue added the conversion, narrowing the deficit to 12‑10. The lead was restored on the stroke of halftime when Kelepi Tanginoa burst through the defensive line, finding Ashton, who dove over for his 100th career Super League try.
Irwin’s conversion struck the post, leaving Warrington ahead 12‑6 at the break. The second half began dramatically when Hiku’s alleged punch on Williams resulted in an immediate red card. Although the strike appeared light, the referee deemed it sufficient to send Hiku off, reducing Warrington to twelve men.
The Wolves responded instantly, spreading the ball wide to Ashton, who claimed his second try of the night. The referee ruled the pass forward, allowing the score to stand and taking the lead to 16‑6 with 35 minutes to play. Hull KR, now a man down, refused to capitulate.
In the 53rd minute, Burgess broke through and set up Dean Hadley, who powered over from close range. Mourgue’s conversion trimmed the margin to 16‑12, reigniting the contest.
Tension mounted at the Wolves’ home ground, but a pivotal moment arrived with fifteen minutes left. James Bentley intercepted a pass and fed Ashton, who sprinted the length of the field to complete his hat‑trick.
The try proved decisive, as Warrington soon extended the lead further when Albert Hopoate dove into the corner for a try, and Irwin added another penalty, pushing the advantage to 26‑12. Williams added a late drop‑goal for Hull KR, and in the final minute Toby King crossed for a consolation try, sealing a 35‑12 victory for Warrington and confirming their semi‑final berth. After the final whistle, the departing Hull KR coach Willie Peters received a standing ovation from the home crowd, recognising the legacy he built over four seasons, including the landmark 2025 championship. Meanwhile, Hull KR captain Joe Burgess celebrated with his family, reflecting on his own ambitions to achieve similar glory with the Wolves.
In post‑match comments to Sky Sports, Peters reflected on 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 head 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." Upcoming fixtures: - Friday, September 18 – Wakefield Trinity 26‑16 Leigh Leopards - Saturday, September 19 – Warrington Wolves 35‑12 Hull KR - Semi‑Final 1 – Friday, September 25: Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves, 8 p.m.
on Sky Sports - Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday, September 26: Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity, 5:30 p.m. on Sky Sports The Super League playoffs continue live on Sky Sports, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3.