Hull KR were beaten by Wigan Warriors at Wembley
Hull KR were beaten by Wigan Warriors in the 2026 Challenge Cup final
All good things must come to an end and unfortunately Hull KR’s Challenge Cup reign has as they lost 40-10 to Wigan Warriors.
The Robins weren’t just beaten, they were outplayed on the hallowed Wembley turf by a Wigan side that hardly put a foot wrong on the day.
It was a performance that was unlike what we have come to expect from Willie Peters’ side, with a series defensive lapses proving to be the difference in the north west London sunshine and ultimately, they wilted as Wigan ran away with the contest.
The Warriors scored seven tries, with Jack Farrimond and Adam Keighran bagging braces, while Junior Nsemba, Luke Thompson and the fit again Bevan French also touched down.
Peta Hiku was KR’s sole tryscorer for Rovers, scoring twice on a day they will be keen to brush over and move on from quickly.
Rovers will have felt they got everything right in the build-up, but they now have to put all their eggs in the Super League basket as they strive to retain the two remaining crowns from last year’s treble.
And, you can bet you bottom dollar that if KR are to respond by reaching the Grand Final that Wigan will be there waiting for them as this intriguing modern day rivalry continues to take shape.
The Warriors have won this battle, but Rovers will be determined to see that they don’t win the war.
As the smoke from the pre-match pyrotechnic show cleared, Rovers attempted to settle into their game and apply pressure from the kick-off. However, the game was less than three minutes old when the first major setback came, with Dean Hadley getting his head caught in the wrong position while trying to tackle Adam Keighran.
The back-rower, who had been an injury doubt earlier in the week, looked groggy as he left the field for a HIA and he never returned.
Then came the first big mistake of the day as Jack Broadbent was adjudged to have spilled Harry Smith’s kick to the corner. An inconclusive captain’s challenge followed and Rovers failed to gather themselves before the scrum.
Wigan took advantage, shifted the ball towards KR’s crooked right edge and Farrimond slipped through the challenge of Tyrone May to touch down.
The Cherry and Whites kept up the pressure as the first half began to take shape and Jez Litten was called into action to prevent another try and concede another try after Jai Field’s break down the middle.
Jake Wardle side-stepped a Peta Hiku tackle with ease before being held up over the line and although Rovers did enjoy some field position, they lacked the ideas and the nous needed to do anything with it in attacking areas.
That’s when Farrimond scored his second of the game. It came in controversial fashion with Elliot Minchella being obstructed by Ethan Havard as he attempted to make the tackle and stop Farrimond in his tracks before he slipped through the line and around Broadbent to touch down.
The contact wasn’t deemed to be enough, though, and the try was allowed to stand, giving Wigan a 10-point advantage heading towards the break.
With just seconds remaining in the first half, Rovers got over to give themselves hope to hold onto as they returned to the sheds at the break. Lifting a delicate chip over the line, May watched on as Hiku beat Noah Hodkinson to the bouncing ball and got himself over the line.
However, Wigan retook complete control of the contest after just three second half minutes as Nsemba rose above Davies and Hiku to claim Farrimond’s cross field kick and touch down.
And, in the 52nd minute of the game, Keighran on hand to collect Smith’s kick over the top and touch down. The following conversion was enough to pull Wigan 18 points clear in the capital.
Keighran added another following Patrick Mago’s smart offload before French, stepping off the bench after returning four weeks early from a hamstring injury, got over, just to hammer home KR’s misery.
Hiku scored a consolation with 10 minutes to go but Luke Thompson had the final say.
Wigan ended the game with 12-men after Sam Walters was sent off for a dangerous tip tackle on Bill Leyland.
Ultimately, this wasn’t Rovers’ day but if we know anything about this Peters side, Hull Kingston Rovers will come again.