Kris Radlinski recalls Wigan’s Grand Final bus agony before high praise for Hull KR ahead of the Wembley showdown.
Hull KR won their first ever Super League Grand Final over Wigan Warriors last season.
Wigan CEO Kris Radlinski has recalled the misery of last year’s bus ride home after the Grand Final defeat, before setting the tone for an “all on” battle against the same opposition in Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final.
It was Hull KR who came out on top during last year’s Super League showdown at Old Trafford, with Wigan failing to lift any silverware in a season for the first time under head coach Matt Peet.
“We’ve won a lot of trophies – but then to not win one, if you were on the coach on the way home from Old Trafford, you’d have thought the world had ended,” Radlinski said.
“But that’s the nature of being at this club. That’s what’s instilled to us when we join.
“We always move on to what’s next, and I probably spent more time looking at the pre-season programme this year than I have in the past. I saw a lot of good things, a lot of good habits.”
The Robins will arrive at Wembley having created their own recent history, ending a long trophy drought last season before going on to complete a treble-winning campaign.
Saturday’s clash will be the first ever Challenge Cup Final meeting between Wigan and Hull KR, with the Cherry and Whites chasing a record-extending 22nd title.
Radlinski expects nothing less than a bruising, tight affair.
“I reckon it’ll be a proper game, Matt and Willie Peters [Hull KR head coach] are so similar with their philosophies, how they carry themselves and their humility,” the former Great Britain international said.
“Behind the scenes, there’s a genuine feeling that it’s going to be all on.
“It’s going to be a match of attrition – there’s not much between these teams. Sometimes it’s an arm wrestle, but when fatigue comes in, that’s when the extra special players come out to play.
“Cup finals are made on that, but it’s as close as it can get in a cup final, this.”
Radlinski admitted he has a strong relationship with Hull KR counterpart Paul Lakin, who has also played his part in Hull KR’s rise to the top of the rugby league world, which included an epic World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos earlier this year.
It will also mark Willie Peters’ last Challenge Cup tie in charge of Hull KR, with the coach set to leave the reigning champions at the end of 2026 to become the inaugural head coach of the PNG Chiefs in the NRL.
And while eager not to lose, Radlinski conceded Hull KR would be worthy winners if they prevail at Wembley.
“The journey they’ve been on, on and off the field, and the experience at the ground when we play away [at Craven Park] is phenomenal,” Radlinski said.
“You have to tip your hat to them, and it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down.
“Whoever replaces Willie has got a really tough job to do, but you can see the work that goes into a lot of what they do. They’ll be leaving no stone unturned to make sure it’s a top calibre person.
“I’ve only got superlatives to say about the club really. Neil Hudgell [owner] has always been good to me and Paul Lakin, we speak most weeks on different things going on in the game.
“I don’t want to lose to anybody, but if I do, it’ll be a firm handshake and congratulations.”