The stat that Hull KR won’t be proud of so far in 2026.
Hull KR sit 11th on the Super League table with just one win.
The reigning Super League champions have managed just one win from their opening four Super League matches, leaving them 11th in the table heading into round six.
Hull KR do have a game in hand following their heroic World Club Challenge triumph over Brisbane Broncos, but they have suffered domestic defeats to York Knights, Leeds Rhinos and, most recently, Catalans Dragons.
Here are some of the biggest talking points so far.
The new ruck rules
Head coach Willie Peters has been open about the need for his side to adapt to the game’s new ruck interpretations. The changes for 2026 have been designed to speed up play and ultimately improve the spectacle.
While creative players such as Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten might have been expected to benefit, Hull KR have, on the whole, lagged behind the competition’s pace-setters so far this season.
Momentum swings can now shift rapidly in a Super League match, and Peters has already acknowledged his side’s need to manage those moments better.
“We need to work out the best way to hold onto it, and how to swing it back when we don’t,” he said recently.
It’s a challenge facing many clubs, but Hull KR will be particularly eager to respond as the hunted team following their success in 2025.
Missed tackles
Under Peters, defence has been a cornerstone of Hull KR’s identity. That makes their early-season numbers all the more concerning: 180 missed tackles across their opening four Super League matches, an average of 45 per game.
The Robins boasted the best defensive record in 2025 – a key factor in their League Leaders’ Shield triumph and part of a clean sweep of trophies. They also ranked second defensively in 2024, behind Warrington Wolves by just seven tackles.
This season, however, Hull KR have been slipping off tackles at an uncharacteristic rate, and it is clearly a major area of focus. Peters knows his side can score points, but defence remains a non-negotiable.
For context, they missed more tackles against Catalans, York and Leeds than their opponents, and even in their sole victory – 32-6 against Huddersfield – they recorded only five fewer misses.
In comparison, they average just 32 missed tackles across their opening four games last year.
Back at home
It has been one of the most chaotic starts to a season in recent memory for Hull KR, so they will be relieved to finally return home in Super League this weekend.
Sewell Group Craven Park is traditionally one of the toughest venues for visiting teams, and Hull KR will be determined to continue their fortress claim.
St Helens are the visitors next, and although Paul Rowley’s side have been hampered by injuries, they continue to score points and pick up wins. Friday presents a significant test for Rovers after their latest setback in Perpignan.