Hull KR and Wigan Warriors will go head-to-head in the Super League Grand Final on Saturday night, but who will come out on top in the showpiece?
Hull KR’s Elliot Minchella with Wigan’s Liam Farrell and the Betfred Super League Trophy.
Hull KR are set to face off against Wigan Warriors in the Super League Grand Final this Saturday night. Our All Out Rugby League team have given their thoughts on the upcoming clash.
Matt Shaw
So, here we are at last. After a full season that seemed destined to culminate in a Grand Final rematch, barring a brief interval, we’ve got just that.
The showdown between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors is undeniably a contest between the two top teams in this year’s competition. They secured first and second place and despite a few wobbles along the way, they’ve been the standout teams overall.
History will be written regardless of the outcome – either a new champion will be crowned or another three-peat will occur. The burning question is whether Hull KR can overcome the shortcomings that saw them fall short last year, reports All Out Rugby League.
The truth is, they can, but whether they will is another story. Last year, Rovers simply didn’t have enough firepower to break down Wigan when they were in a strong position at Old Trafford.
That’s the crucial issue. Wigan’s defence is currently rock solid. Therefore, Rovers will need to bring their A-game.
But it’s worth noting that while the Warriors did appear comfortable defending their line last year, Rovers also squandered some opportunities, particularly just after the half-time break.
We’ll see how it plays out. It’s likely to be a tight match with little to separate the two sides. I believe Wigan’s magic gives them the edge over everyone else, so I’m predicting a narrow win for them.
Prediction: Wigan to win by four points and Jai Field to clinch the Rob Burrow Award.
Dan Tomlinson
The Super League is celebrating its 30th season, yet only four teams have ever claimed the title. This fact alone speaks volumes about the challenge of breaking the dominance.
Hull KR’s chance to become the fifth unique winner is a significant opportunity. The difficulty in breaking the Wigan-St Helens-Leeds-Bradford cycle has been evident, but the Robins are back for another attempt, hoping to succeed where others – Hull FC, Warrington, Catalans, Castleford, and Salford – have fallen short.
Will they manage it?
That’s the million-pound question. However, having already clinched the Challenge Cup and League Leaders Shield this year, they’ve shown a knack for rising to the occasion.
This is their most formidable challenge yet. They face a tough battle against Wigan, who are aiming for their first-ever Super League three-peat, but under Willie Peters, they have the potential to triumph.
That being said, Wigan, known for their resilience, have a proven track record that could be enough to secure victory – and I believe they will, albeit narrowly.
Prediction: Wigan by two and Brad O’Neill to win the Rob Burrow Award.
Josh McAllister
The day has finally come for the Super League’s most anticipated match of the year, with high stakes for both teams. Hull KR are on a mission to secure a treble and carve their names into rugby league history, aiming to become only the fifth team to hoist the title.
After achieving a historic Grand Slam last season, Matt Peet’s Wigan side are eyeing their first trophy of the current campaign – and a third consecutive win at the Theatre of Dreams.
Hopefully, we’ll witness a spectacle brimming with attacking rugby league, physical clashes, and more tries than in recent years – three of the last five finals have seen 12 points or fewer scored, including last year’s low-scoring face-off where Bevan French made the difference with a brilliant solo effort.
Hull KR are stronger due to their experiences over the past 12 months, including ending their trophy drought at Wembley in June. However, Wigan remain the favourites and, in my opinion, will just clinch another intense contest in the sport’s newest rivalry.
Prediction: Warriors by eight – and either Jai Field or Bevan French to be crowned the Rob Burrow Award winner.
James Smailes
It was around the Challenge Cup semi-final that I began to sense Hull KR could achieve something truly special this season. It seemed as if the stars were aligning.
The best team in the league at that point, playing the best rugby, they appeared the fittest by far and were incredibly difficult to score against.
Certain colleagues consistently suggested that Wigan would improve and that the Warriors shouldn’t be dismissed, which has indeed turned out to be true. However, it’s also a fact that this Hull KR team have met every challenge thrown at them this season.
They already have two trophies in their possession and I maintain my belief that they’ll secure an extraordinary treble. We mustn’t underestimate the immense achievement of winning the treble.
Winning one when you’ve not secured a major trophy for nearly 40 years is simply astounding.
They haven’t won anything yet and Wigan are the current champions. Not only that, but Wigan have been playing superior rugby in recent weeks.
However, as the Challenge Cup final has already demonstrated, KR always find a way to succeed and I keep coming back to a long-held belief that they’ll do so once more.
Prediction: Hull KR to win by four points and Jez Litten to be the recipient of the Rob Burrow Award.