Hull KR’s class of 2025 made more history after recording the best ever start to the season in the club’s history after their 34-10 win over Wakefield Trinity. A return of 15 league wins from their opening 16 games surpasses the record set by the Rovers side of 1966-67, and they did it with conviction after a dominant second half display against Wakefield.
The game was a contest at half-time, with just a goal kick separating the two teams as Wakefield impressed. But Rovers scored 22 unanswered points after the break to open up a six point lead over Wigan Warriors at the top of the table ahead of their clash with Castleford Tigers on Saturday.
Willie Peters made two changes from the side that defeated Castleford Tigers the week before. Rhyse Martin, after four months out with a quad injury, returned to action, while Joe Burgess was recalled for the first time since the Challenge Cup final. James Batchelor and Noah Booth made way.
Wakefield set their stall out early with a short kick-off but the pattern of play in the opening quarter wasn’t unlike most Rovers games this year. They were patient, didn’t chase points and eventually got themselves on top of the territorial battle.
The difference here to other games was that Wakefield didn’t cave in. They defended their line admirably and kept Rovers at bay, though the hosts did have a try chalked off when a knock on was deemed to have taken place in the build-up to Mikey Lewis’ ‘try’.
Wakefield too had a try ruled out by the video referee as the former Robin Corey Hall failed to ground a kick. In truth, he should have done better.
Rovers made the visitors pay for that. They went straight up field, forced a drop out and from there, Martin got his arm free close to the line, offloaded to Tom Davies and he stepped his way over for the opening score. Arthur Mourgue, on kicking duties ahead of Martin, added the two.
But Wakefield’s response was instant. They claimed the short kick-off, got in position and Jake Trueman threw a delightful cut-out ball to Tom Johnstone, who touched down in the corner.
Jowitt’s conversion brought the game level and on the half hour, Wakefield went ahead. Hall wouldn’t be denied this time, a flowing move from left to right saw Rovers short of numbers and Hall dived in to silence most of Craven Park, other than the away end.
But Rovers hit back emphatically. Earning a penalty to put them in position, Lewis took the ball to the line and quick hands from Jack Broadbent allowed Burgess to score acrobatically. Mourgue’s excellent conversion from wide ensured Rovers had a slender lead at the break, but Wakefield had proved last week’s win over Wigan was no fluke.
Equally, Rovers showed why they are the leaders after the break. Two tries in four minutes put the game to bed. Quick thinking from Lewis saw him exploit a gap in the Wakefield defence on the last and claw his way over the line. Soon after, Davies excellently finished a move to the right edge, stepping inside one, fending another and spinning out of another tackle to score. Mourgue’s two conversions gave the Robins a three-score lead.
Lewis was soon shown a yellow card for a professional foul after pulling back Cam Scott when he was chasing his own kick.
However, it was Rovers who added to the scoring while down to 12, Davies securing his hat-trick after the ball was moved through hands with speed.
Peta Hiku got in on the act six minutes later as Wakefield tired, Lewis wonderfully adding himself to the attack to create the overlap. The only blemish on Mourgue’s record was this conversion from the touchline, which hit both posts.
Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, Rhyse Martin, Jai Whitbread, Elliot Minchella. Subs: Sam Luckley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Brown, Bill Leyland.
Tries: Davies (20, 49, 62), Burgess (34), Lewis (45), Hiku (68)
Goals: Mourgue 5/6
Wakefield Trinity: Max Jowitt, Lachlan Walmsley, Corey Hall, Oliver Pratt, Tom Johnstone, Jake Trueman, Mason Lino, Caius Faatili, Harvey Smith, Jay Pitts, Seth Nikotemo, Cam Scott, Josh Griffin. Subs: Liam Hood, Isaiah Vagana, Josh Rourke, Jack Croft.
Tries: Johnstone (24), Hall (30)
Goals: Jowitt 1/2