Sam Burgess’ Warrington have knocked reigning champions Hull KR out of the Super League play-offs with a dramatic 35-12 eliminator victory at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Robins, who finished the tie with 12 men after Peta Hiku was sent off in the second half, have now been dethroned in every competition during head coach Willie Peters’ final season in charge after completing a historic domestic treble in 2025.
Matty Ashton fired Warrington into the semi-finals with a hat-trick, earning them a trip to Leeds Rhinos in the race to Old Trafford on Saturday, October 3.
Wigan, meanwhile, will host Wakefield Trinity after Daryl Powell’s side defeated Leigh Leopards.
Hull KR suffered a huge early blow when winger Tom Davies, who swept up at the club’s end-of-season awards, was forced off after just two minutes with a broken cheekbone.
Warrington opened the scoring moments later when Ben Currie pounced on a loose ball under the sticks after Joe Burgess failed to deal with a dangerous George Williams grubber on his own line.
Teenage sensation Ewan Irwin converted before adding a penalty 11 minutes in to put the hosts 8-0 ahead.
Warrington continued to apply the pressure but could not crack a stubborn Rovers defence, who eventually hit back with a try-of-the-year contender.
Arthur Mourgue burst through Warrington’s defence from deep inside his own half before finding prolific scorer Burgess in support. The winger, who will leave Hull KR at the end of the season, finished the move to cut the deficit to 8-6.
But Warrington struck again on the half-time hooter, with Kelepi Tanginoa setting up a try against his former club as Ashton raced over in the corner to make it 12-6 at the break.
After Wakefield’s Emre Guler was sent off for a striking action to Owen Trout’s face in the first play-off eliminator, Hull KR were reduced to 12 men when centre Hiku was shown the same fate just a minute into the second half following an incident involving Warrington and England captain George Williams.
Warrington immediately pounced on their numerical advantage, with Ashton claiming his second try down the side Hiku would have been defending.
But Hull KR stunned the home crowd when Dean Hadley crashed over to make it 16-12.
However, Ashton then completed his hat-trick after breaking clear from a James Bentley intercept to all but secure the win, before further tries from Albert Hopoate and Toby King, while George Williams also added a drop goal.
Warrington Wolves starting 13: Josh Thewlis, Albert Hopoate, Arron Lindop, Toby King, Mdrop-goal.atty Ashton, George Williams, Ewan Irwin, Liam Byrne, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Sam Stone, James Bentley, Ben Currie.
Bench: Joe Philbin, Kelepi Tanginoa, Luke Yates, Leon Hayes.
Tries: Currie (5’), Ashton (39’, 42’, 59’), Hopoate (63’), King (78′).
Drop-goal: Williams (74′)
Goals: Irwin 5/7
18th: Sam Powell.
Hull KR starting 13: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, Jai Whitbread, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella.
Bench: Tom Amone, Jack Broadbent, Sam Luckley, Karl Lawton.
18th: Rhyse Martin.
Tries: Burgess (35’), Hadley (54’)
Goals: Mourgue 2/2
Red card: Hiku (41’)