Warrington Wolves secured their place in the Super League semi‑finals with a commanding 35‑12 win over defending champions Hull KR in an eliminator clash at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The victory not only guarantees a showdown with Leeds Rhinos on September 25, but also marks the Wolves' first appearance in a semi‑final since the 2024 campaign, after missing the playoffs in the 2025 season. The match also signalled the end of Willie Peters' tenure as head coach of Hull KR. Peters had overseen a historic 2025 season in which the club captured its maiden Super League title, but the defeat and subsequent disciplinary issues proved to be his swan song at the club.
The 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 blow appeared to lack significant force, the referee deemed it a striking offence and reduced Hull KR to twelve men. The numerical disadvantage quickly tipped the balance in Warrington's favour.
Warrington entered the break with a slender 12‑6 lead, built on a Ben Currie try that was converted, an Ewan Irwin penalty, and a Matty Ashton score. Hull KR responded with a spectacular solo effort from Joe Burgess, set up by Arthur Mourgue, narrowing the margin and raising hopes for a comeback.
Once Hiku left the field, Ashton exploded for two additional tries, completing a hat‑trick that underscored his finishing prowess. Albert Hopoate also crossed the line, adding a further try to the tally. Hull KR managed a consolation try from Dean Hadley, but a late drop‑goal by Williams and a final try by Toby King sealed the Wolves' dominance. The Wolves will now travel to Leeds for the semi‑final, scheduled for 8 p.m.
on Friday, September 25, live on Sky Sports. The winner will 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. **First Half – A Tight Opening** The game began with Warrington capitalising on a quick turnover. A grubber kick from Williams was collected by Burgess, who fumbled the ball, allowing Currie to scoop it up and dive over the line. Irwin's conversion gave the home side a 6‑0 advantage, sparking cheers from the packed Halliwell Jones crowd.
Discipline proved costly for Hull KR early on, as an off‑side infringement saw Irwin slot a penalty, extending Warrington's lead to eight points within the first fifteen minutes. Both teams produced promising wing attacks, with Ashton and Burgess each grounding near‑touch tries that were ultimately disallowed after the ball was ruled to have gone into touch.
Just before the half‑hour mark, Jack Broadbent delivered a long pass to Mourgue, who sidestepped defenders and sprinted 70 metres before off‑loading to Burgess for a try. Mourgue added the conversion, trimming the deficit to 12‑6.
In the final minutes before the break, Kelepi Tanginoa burst through the defensive line, finding Ashton, who sprinted to the corner for his 100th career Super League try. Irwin's conversion struck the post, leaving the score at 12‑6 in favour of Warrington at the interval. **Second Half – Red Card and Rising Tide** Three minutes into the second period, Hiku's punch on Williams resulted in a straight red card.
The incident, though brief, left Hull KR with only twelve players for the remainder of the contest. Warrington seized the opportunity immediately, swinging the ball wide to Ashton, who crossed for his second try of the night.
The referee ruled the pass forward, but the decision stood, pushing the Wolves ahead 16‑6. Hull KR, now a man down, fought back valiantly. In the 53rd minute, Burgess broke away and fed Dean Hadley, who powered over from close range. Mourgue's conversion narrowed the gap to 16‑12, reigniting tension among the home supporters.
With fifteen minutes remaining, James Bentley intercepted a pass and set up Ashton for a dazzling run that completed his hat‑trick. The momentum swung decisively to Warrington, and Albert Hopoate added a brilliant diving try in the corner, followed by Irwin's successful conversion, extending the lead to 22‑12. Williams added a late penalty goal, and with just a minute left, Toby King sprinted through a fatigued Hull KR defence to score the final try.
Irwin's conversion sealed a 35‑12 victory, confirming Warrington's semi‑final berth. **Post‑Match Reactions** Hull KR head coach Willie Peters addressed Sky Sports, acknowledging that discipline had been a recurring issue throughout the season and that the red card had compounded their challenges.
He praised his players for their resilience, highlighted the memories created over his four‑year spell, and expressed pride in the progress made despite the loss. Warrington’s player‑coach Sam Burgess reflected on the performance, noting the team's dominance in the first half and the missed opportunities that could have widened the margin earlier. He stressed the importance of precision and execution, recognising that small lapses can accumulate over the course of a match. **Looking Ahead** The Wolves now focus on preparing for Leeds, a team that has shown both flair and consistency throughout the playoffs.
The semi‑final promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both sides eager to secure a place in the Grand Final. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports, with the winner advancing to Old Trafford for the championship decider on October 3.
**Schedule Summary** - Friday 18 Sept: Wakefield Trinity 26‑16 Leigh Leopards - Saturday 19 Sept: Warrington Wolves 35‑12 Hull KR - Semi‑Final 1 – Friday 25 Sept: Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves, 8 p.m. (Sky Sports) - Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday 26 Sept: Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity, 5:30 p.m. (Sky Sports) The Super League playoffs continue to deliver high‑octane rugby league, with each match bringing the dream of a Grand Final appearance closer to reality for the competing clubs.