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 guarantees a clash 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 the previous year. The result also signals the end of Willie Peters' tenure as Hull KR head coach; Peters guided the club to a historic 2025 season that delivered their first ever Super League title, but the defeat has brought his spell to a close. The turning point arrived early in the second half when Peta Hiku was shown a red card for an ill‑judged punch on Hull KR centre George Williams.
The Wolves, now reduced to twelve men, capitalised on the ensuing momentum shift and pulled away decisively. Before the incident, the game had been relatively tight, with Warrington holding a modest 12‑6 lead at the break thanks to a Ben Currie try that was converted, a penalty from Ewan Irwin and a try from Matty Ashton.
Hull KR responded with a spectacular effort from Joe Burgess, whose try was set up by Arthur Mourgue and briefly narrowed the deficit. Once Hiku left the field, Ashton took advantage of the extra space, scoring two more tries to complete a hat‑trick, while Albert Hopoate added a further try to cement the Wolves' dominance. Hull KR managed a consolation try from Dean Hadley, but the damage was already done. Late‑game drama saw Williams add a drop‑goal and Toby King finish the scoring for Hull KR, but the final whistle confirmed a 35‑12 victory for Warrington.
The Wolves will now travel to Leeds for the semi‑final, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Sky Sports on September 25. The other semi‑final will see Wigan Warriors host Wakefield Trinity on September 26 at 5.30 p.m., also on Sky Sports, as the two clubs vie for the remaining Grand Final berth at Old Trafford on October 3.
The match opened with an early set-piece that quickly produced points for Warrington. A clever grubber kick from George Williams was gathered by Joe Burgess, who stumbled before Ben Currie swooped in to ground the ball for a try. Irwin’s conversion gave the home side a 6‑0 lead, energising the packed Halliwell Jones crowd.
Discipline issues began to surface for Hull KR, and Irwin added a penalty for off‑side, extending the lead to eight points within the first fifteen minutes. Both teams had opportunities to add to the scoreboard, with Ashton and Burgess each seeing the try‑line from the corners, only to be denied by robust defensive play that forced the ball into touch. With four minutes remaining in the first half, Hull KR launched a breathtaking 70‑metre move.
Jack Broadbent passed to Arthur Mourgue, who sidestepped multiple tacklers before finding Burgess, whose finish completed the play. Mourgue’s conversion added two points, narrowing the gap to 12‑8.
However, the Wolves responded just before the break. Kelepi Tanginoa broke through the defensive line, feeding Ashton, who sprinted in to claim his 100th Super League try. Irwin’s conversion struck the post, leaving the half‑time score at 12‑6 in favour of Warrington.
The second half began dramatically when Hiku’s punch on Williams resulted in a red card. Although the strike lacked significant force, the referee deemed it sufficient to dismiss Hiku, leaving Hull KR with only twelve men. Warrington seized the opportunity immediately, spreading the ball wide to Ashton for his second try of the game.
The try was initially questioned for a forward pass but was ultimately allowed, pushing the Wolves ahead 16‑6. Hull KR, despite being a man down, fought back. In the 53rd minute, a breakaway by Burgess was finished by Dean Hadley, who dived over from close range.
Mourgue’s conversion trimmed the deficit to 16‑12, reigniting hopes for a comeback. The tension in the stadium rose as the game hung in the balance. With fifteen minutes left, James Bentley intercepted a pass and set up Ashton, who sprinted away to complete his hat‑trick.
The momentum swung decisively to Warrington, and Albert Hopoate added a brilliant diving try at the corner, with Irwin converting to make the score 22‑12. To add insult to injury, Williams slotted a late drop‑goal, and Toby King crossed for Hull KR in the final minute, sealing a 35‑12 result. Following the match, Hull KR’s outgoing 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 and reflected on the remarkable memories created over his four‑year tenure, including the historic 2025 championship. Peters also defended Hiku, noting his three‑year contribution to the club despite the unfortunate incident. Warrington’s head coach Sam Burgess also spoke to Sky Sports, expressing pride in his squad and noting that the first half had felt dominant even though the scoreboard did not fully reflect it. He highlighted missed opportunities on both sides and stressed the importance of precision, suggesting that a more clinical approach could have ended the contest earlier.
The Super League playoffs continue to unfold, with live coverage on Sky Sports. Upcoming fixtures include Wakefield Trinity versus Leigh Leopards on September 18, and the semi‑finals on September 25 and 26, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3.