Hull KR supporters will need no reminding that in the biggest games, the finest margins matter. But this was another cruel indication of the final steps they are still to take as a team if they are to topple Super League’s very best.
There can be no doubting that Rovers have made immense strides in recent years. They are now a bona fide force and an example for many to follow on and off the field, underlined here by another sell-out inside Craven Park. But how they must be sick of the sight of Wigan – and one or two of the Super League champions’ star players to boot.
Even though we are only seven rounds in, this had all the hallmarks of a statement evening for the Robins. They came into this game as the only remaining unbeaten side, and on their best start to a league season since they were last crowned champions in 1985: incidentally, the last time they won a major trophy, too.
Victory here in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final, and the gap at the top between themselves and a Wigan side who won every trophy on offer last year would have been six points. Not insurmountable, but mightily significant at such an early stage in proceedings. And with 20 minutes remaining, it looked like they were on course to do exactly that.
Rovers were undoubtedly the best team for the first hour. But as Wigan have reminded us in recent years, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. The champions went ahead for the first time with barely 10 minutes remaining as Harry Smith jinked through a tiring defence to nudge the champions ahead by two points.
Then three minutes later as the hosts pushed for a try to go back in front, Bevan French – scourge of Rovers in last year’s grand final – combined with Jai Field to send the full-back racing away for the try that killed the contest. When Abbas Miski scored with seconds remaining, it merely added gloss to another Wigan victory.
“Hull KR had a bit of bad luck and we managed to capitalise upon it,” Wigan’s coach, Matt Peet, said. “It’s a long season and we won’t get carried away. I’m very proud.” Perhaps the Warriors were able to peak in the final moments because they had a week off during last weekend’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals, while Rovers faced local rivals Hull FC? What is certain is that Hull KR would not use that as an excuse. “It does hurt but I’m proud of the players,” their coach, Willie Peters, said. “We were in control for long periods. But it’s fine margins against them. We’re not far off.”
He is right: they are not far off. In fact, they are without question Wigan’s closest challengers again in 2025.
They began superbly, taking the lead with a stunning one-handed finish from Joe Burgess and while Wigan replied through Zach Eckersley’s long-range effort, Rovers deservedly led at the break when Peta Hiku cut through to score.
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But on a night of such fine margins, one minute played out at both ends of the field at break-neck pace felt crucial. Burgess thought he had scored his second but was adjudged to have knocked on, and seconds later Wigan surged up the other end and a fine team move led to Jake Wardle’s try cutting the gap to just two.
It remained 12-10 in Rovers’ favour right until the final 10 minutes approached. And just when you began to wonder if they could hold on and send an emphatic message to the rest of Super League, Wigan struck like all good champions do: at exactly the right time.
Smith took full advantage of a set restart, before French and Field combined to devastating effect to swing it Wigan’s way. But on this showing, you would not bet against these two meeting much later in the year again when the stakes are at their highest.