The Robins can go back to back this weekend
Hull KR’s Sam Luckley heads on to score a try against Huddersfield.
Wigan Warriors’ motivation is obvious but they won’t be hungrier than Hull KR this Saturday, says Sam Luckley.
The Robins face off against Matt Peet’s Cherry and Whites in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium this weekend. It will be the third time the two sides have met in a major final in three seasons and Wigan will still be reeling after last year’s Grand Final defeat at Old Trafford.
That result ensured the Warriors ended the season empty handed and they had to watch on as KR celebrated the treble with the three trophies that were Wigan’s 12 months previous.
It left a bitter taste and the drive and hunger to get their hands on silverware once more this year has been clear to see at the Brick Community Stadium.
KR haven’t exactly been caught enjoying the fruits of their labour, though. They approach this week’s showdown on the back of nine successive wins and having wrapped up the World Club Challenge back in February, Rovers are on the prowl once more.
“Ours hasn’t really,” Luckley said when asked about a change in motivation. “The hunger is still there and they’re going to want it as much as us, it’s just that we want it more.
“It’s a war of attrition, that’s what a final is and I’m sure that’s what the game will represent, two good sides going at it.
“I’ve already done an interview about being the hunted, but we haven’t really spoken about it. We are the holders, but it doesn’t matter, it’s up for grabs for both teams.
“You kind of forget about the past, forget what you’ve done already, it means absolutely nothing. It’s do or die, us v them.
“Off the field, Willie is leaving and that could be a little bit of added motivation and even players who might end up going, you want to send everyone off on a high. It just boils down to true grit really and it just boils down to being a connected group and feeding off each other.
“Some of the conversations get a bit deep about why people want it and doing it for their families and that stuff. It’s just feeding off that and being selfless and wanting to do it for your teammate, that’s what it’ll rely on.”
Of course, if KR were to pick up the Challenge Cup for the second time in as many years on Saturday, they would become the first team to go back to back in the competition since Hull FC achieved the feat nine years ago. St Helens, Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos have also gone back to back in the Cup since Wigan’s run of eight in a row across the 1980s and 90s.
“The good teams back it up and we want to be known as one of the best teams,” Luckley added. “That’s one of the main aims and if you’re not in this game to win it then what is the point. We want to win everything.”
He added: “I don’t think that excitement fades. Because it’s not a new experience, it is a different feeling the second time around. When we played Leigh we were a bit in awe of Wembley and the whole send off parade and all that kind of stuff.
“The second time it felt a bit more at home, we were a bit calmer and the third time now, it feels like we’re used to it a bit more. Wigan are going to be like that as well.”