Warrington Wolves secured a commanding 35-12 win over defending champions Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, earning a place in the Super League semi‑final where they will face Leeds Rhinos on September 25. The victory not only marked the Wolves’ first appearance in a semi‑final since 2024, but it also signaled the end of Willie Peters’ tenure as head coach of Hull KR, capping off a historic period that saw the club capture its inaugural Super League title in 2025. The match began with Warrington asserting themselves early. A superb grubber kick from George Williams was fielded by Joe Burgess, who fumbled the ball before Ben Currie pounced and dived over for the opening try.
The conversion by Ewan Irwin put the home side ahead 6-0 within the first few minutes, energising the packed crowd at Halliwell Jones. Discipline soon became a theme, as Hull KR were penalised for off‑side, allowing Irwin to add a penalty goal and extend the lead to eight points. Hull KR fought back before the break, with a dazzling 70‑metre run by Arthur Mourgue that culminated in a spectacular try for Joe Burgess.
Mourgue’s conversion narrowed the margin, and the scores stood at 12-6 in favour of Warrington at the interval, the Wolves having also benefited from a try by Matty Ashton and a successful conversion from Currie. The second half opened dramatically when Peta Hiku was shown a red card for an ill‑judged punch on George Williams.
Although the impact appeared light, the referee deemed it sufficient to send Hiku off, leaving the Wolves with only 12 men for the remainder of the game. Warrington responded immediately, spreading the ball wide and allowing Ashton to cross for his second try of the night. The try was initially called a forward pass, but the decision was overturned, giving the Wolves a 16-6 advantage with 35 minutes left on the clock.
Hull KR, now down a player, refused to capitulate. In the 53rd minute, a breakaway by Burgess was finished by Dean Hadley, who barreled over from close range to make it 16-12 after Mourgue’s conversion. The scoreline suggested a tightly contested encounter, but Warrington’s depth soon proved decisive. With fifteen minutes remaining, James Bentley intercepted a pass and set up Ashton for his third try, completing a hat‑trick and pushing the lead to 22-12.
Albert Hopoate then added a brilliant corner‑line dive, and Irwin’s reliable boot converted, stretching the gap to 28-12. Hull KR managed a consolation drop‑goal from Williams, and a late try by Toby King added two more points, but the final whistle confirmed a 35-12 triumph for Warrington. Post‑match, Hull KR head coach Willie Peters addressed Sky Sports, acknowledging the disciplinary issues that had plagued his side throughout the season.
"Discipline has cost us a lot this year, and unfortunately it did again tonight," he said, before praising his players for their resilience despite being reduced to 12 men. Peters also reflected on his three‑year stint with the club, noting that while Hiku’s action was “the wrong thing,” the player had been a valuable contributor. Warrington’s coach, Sam Burgess, expressed pride in his squad’s performance, highlighting the importance of precision and finishing.
"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," he explained. Looking ahead, Warrington will travel to Leeds for the semi‑final on Friday, September 25, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m.
on Sky Sports. A victory would see them advance 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, also broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The broader Super League playoffs continue to deliver high‑stakes rugby league, with fixtures such as Wakefield Trinity’s 26-16 win over Leigh Leopards on September 18 already completed. As the competition narrows, each match carries heightened significance, and fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the league moves toward its climactic finale. In summary, Warrington’s decisive win over Hull KR not only secured their semi‑final berth but also underscored the impact of discipline, the value of depth in the squad, and the strategic execution of key plays. The Wolves now look forward to a challenging encounter with Leeds, while Hull KR reflect on a season that, despite its historic high of a championship win, ended on a sobering note for their outgoing coach and his players.