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 held 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 in the 2025 season. The match also signalled the end of Willie Peters' tenure as Hull KR head coach.
Peters, who guided the club to its historic first Super League title in 2025, saw his spell come to an abrupt conclusion after the defeat. His four‑year spell will be remembered for the breakthrough success that broke a long‑standing drought for the club.
The game’s turning point arrived early in the second half when Peta Hiku was shown a red card for a punch aimed at George Williams. Although the strike appeared to lack significant force, the referee deemed it a serious offence, reducing the Wolves to twelve men for the remainder of the contest.
The numerical disadvantage, however, did not halt Warrington’s momentum; instead, they used the incident as a catalyst to extend their lead. Warrington entered the break with a slim 12‑6 advantage, built on a converted try by Ben Currie, a penalty goal from Ewan Irwin, and a first‑half score from Matty Ashton.
Hull KR responded before the interval with a spectacular solo effort from Joe Burgess, set up by a deft pass from Arthur Mourgue, narrowing the gap and injecting belief into the visitors. The second half began with the Wolves capitalising on the extra space created by Hiku’s dismissal.
Ashton crossed the line twice more, completing a hat‑trick, while Albert Hopoate added a try on the wing to cement the final margin. Hull KR managed a consolation try through Dean Hadley, but the damage was already done. Late‑stage points from a drop‑goal by Williams and a try by Toby King sealed a 35‑12 triumph 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 of that encounter will move on to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3.
Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors will host Wakefield Trinity the following day in the second semi‑final. The match opened with a classic piece of eye‑catching rugby.
A well‑timed grubber kick from Williams was collected by Burgess, who stumbled slightly, allowing Currie to pounce and dive over for the opening try. Irwin’s conversion gave the home side a 6‑0 lead, energising the packed Halliwell Jones crowd.
Discipline quickly became a theme, as Hull KR’s off‑side infractions handed Irwin a penalty goal, extending the Wolves’ lead to eight points within the first fifteen minutes. Both teams then produced near‑misses: Ashton and Burgess each saw a try‑scoring opportunity clipped by the touchline, highlighting the fine margins that would define the contest. Just before the half‑hour mark, Jack Broadbent delivered a long pass to Mourgue, who sprinted 70 metres before offloading to Burgess for a try.
Mourgue’s conversion added two more points, tightening the score to 12‑6. The decisive moment before the break came when Kelepi Tanginoa burst through the defensive line to feed Ashton, who sprinted in for his 100th career Super League try. Irwin’s conversion struck the post, leaving the half‑time score at 12‑6 in favour of Warrington.
The second half’s early drama unfolded three minutes in when Hiku’s ill‑timed punch on Williams resulted in a red card. With the Wolves reduced to twelve men, they responded immediately by swinging the ball wide to Ashton, who touched down for his second try of the night. The referee ruled the pass forward, allowing the score to stand and pushing the lead to 16‑6. Hull KR, despite being a man down, fought back.
In the 53rd minute, Burgess broke away but was brought down close to the line, allowing Dean Hadley to dive over for a try. Mourgue’s conversion narrowed the deficit to 16‑12, reigniting tension among the home supporters.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch with fifteen minutes remaining. James Bentley intercepted a pass and set up Ashton, who sprinted the length of the field to complete his hat‑trick. The try proved pivotal, as Warrington reclaimed control of the match. Albert Hopoate then added a dazzling corner dive, and Irwin’s reliable boot pushed the score to 24‑12.
To add insult to injury, Williams slotted a late drop‑goal, and Toby King finished with a try in the final minute, cementing the 35‑12 final scoreline. Post‑match, Hull KR’s outgoing coach Willie Peters addressed Sky Sports, reflecting on the season’s discipline issues and expressing pride in his squad’s resilience. He praised the Wolves for their performance while acknowledging the impact of playing with twelve men. Warrington’s player‑coach Sam Burgess also spoke to Sky Sports, lauding his group’s effort and noting that the team had left several potential tries on the field.
He emphasised the importance of precision and execution, suggesting that a more clinical approach could have produced an even larger margin. The Super League playoffs continue to deliver high‑stakes rugby, with the semi‑finals set to determine the two clubs that will contest the Grand Final at Old Trafford. Warrington’s emphatic win over Hull KR positions them as serious contenders, while Leeds will look to exploit any weaknesses in the Wolves’ game plan when the two meet next week.