Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.53 EDT<\/p>\n 39 min: On balance there\u2019s no doubt Hull KR<\/a> have won the physical battle in this first half. Their intensity and line speed in defence has been exceptional, after that little wobble at the start. French and Farrell may live to regret those missed chances early doors.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38 min: Lewis puts up a bomb for Hull KR<\/a> deep into Wigan territory. Peet\u2019s side are pinned back and will struggle to get on the board before half time at this rate.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 min: Now Ellis coughs up possession for Wigan and Mikey Lewis pounces in midfield for an easy turnover! In truth there have been errors from both sides, but it\u2019s Hull KR<\/a> who have steadied the ship after enduring a difficult opening. Wigan, at the moment, appear to be falling apart slightly. A big team talk for Peet incoming.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.46 EDT<\/p>\n 32 min: Wigan\u2019s Harry Smith opts for a low, raking kick for touch from a central position around halfway, seemingly to give his team a chance to reset. They are being put under serious pressure by their opponents who look energised by the lead they\u2019ve built.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.44 EDT<\/p>\n 30 min: Hull KR\u2019s Sauaso Sue has been receiving treatment on the sideline after taking that head knock early doors.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.41 EDT<\/p>\n 29 min: Wigan are back up to the full complement of players with O\u2019Neill\u2019s time in the sin-bin over.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Try! 26 min: Hull KR 10-0 Wigan (Burgess)<\/p>\n Magnificent finish in the corner by Burgess! This is looking ominous for Wigan now \u2026 A mistake under the posts gave Hull KR<\/a> a perfect attacking platform off a scrum and they didn\u2019t let their opponents off the hook. Lewis this time chooses to spin the ball left rather than sell another dummy after a well-timed decoy move by the runner on his shoulder. Conversion missed by Martin.<\/p>\n Burgess scores a try. Photograph: Gareth Copley\/Getty ImagesBurgess celebrates after scoring a try. Photograph: Matt West\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.52 EDT<\/p>\n 26 min: A knock-on under the posts by Wigan and a massive attacking platform for Hull!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 25 min: \u201cFunny how O\u2019Neill\u2019s tackle goes upstairs for endless reviews, but Wairea Hargreaves head-on-head contact with French doesn\u2019t get a second look,\u201d emails Gareth.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 24 min: Hull are on top now, not just because Wigan have a player in the bin. Peet is looking increasingly disillusioned as the TV director keeps returning to him sitting in the stand. There is some unusual inaccuracy from Wigan at times and they are having to defend for their lives.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Try! 20 min: Hull KR 6-0 Wigan (Lewis)<\/p>\n What a sensational score by Lewis, who throws a sensational dummy, shimmies beyond a couple of would-be tacklers and sprints in under the posts! Mourgue converts. Lewis has already put in a couple of big moments in defence. Now he\u2019s put his side in front after they\u2019ve been on the back foot for most of this match!<\/p>\n Lewis of Hull KR celebrates scoring. Photograph: Gareth Copley\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.47 EDT<\/p>\n 18 min: It\u2019s a yellow card! That\u2019s possibly a bit lucky that it\u2019s not a red? O\u2019Neill is off for 10 minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe should shake the referee\u2019s hand and walk off,\u201d says the co-commentator.<\/p>\n May is tackled by O’Neill. Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.32 EDT<\/p>\n 18 min: That\u2019s a horrible tackle by O\u2019Neill and the anger of May\u2019s Hull KR<\/a> teammates was entirely justified. What are the officials going to decide?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18 min: Deary me, there\u2019s a huge scrap involving, well, everyone, after a tip tackle by Brad O\u2019Neill on Tyrone May.<\/p>\n Wigan\u2019s Adam Keighran and Hull\u2019s Mikey Lewis clash. Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.29 EDT<\/p>\n 16 min: So Hull KR<\/a> have got out of jail a couple of times in the opening quarter of an hour. A high hit on Abbas Miski now brings another penalty for Wigan. Up in the stands Peet, the Wigan head coach, looks somewhat concerned, as if he knows how costly those moments of innaccuracy from his side may prove to be.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.23 EDT<\/p>\n 14 min: It was a magnificent little kick from Marshall that put French in over the try-line \u2026 Mikey Lewis ran back to challenge under the posts, and French spilled the ball at the all-important moment. I\u2019m not entirely sure why the video ref needed so many replays at it was pretty obviously a knock-on \u2026<\/p>\n Wigan Warriors fans in the stands react as no try is given. Photograph: Richard Sellers\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.26 EDT<\/p>\n 13 min: Is French in the for the first try for Wigan? Looks like he\u2019s failed to ground it, on replay. There\u2019s a long check \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.17 EDT<\/p>\n 13 min: Adam Keighran does brilliantly to turn over Mourgue and Hull KR<\/a> are pinned back near the try-line once again \u2026 it looks only a matter of time for Wigan here before the score.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.15 EDT<\/p>\n 12 min: Waerea-Hargreaves is penalised for a clear shoulder charge, with no attempt to wrap his arms, and Wigan look to run the ball from inside their own half again.<\/p>\n The score is nil-nil and it\u2019s shaping up to be just as hard-fought as last season\u2019s final when Wigan won 9-2.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 min: Arthur Mourgue, of Hull KR<\/a>, semi-spills a long kick down the middle at full-back \u2013 but it bounces backwards and he\u2019s OK to nab it and sprint back into contact.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 min: After a smart cross-kick, Liam Farrell is teed up wonderfully by a magnificent no-look one-handed pass inside by French \u2026 but the second row Farrell spills it with the try-line beckoning! That should be first blood to Wigan. Superb stuff from French. Can Hull KR<\/a> capitalise?<\/p>\n French is tackled by Lewis. Photograph: Martin Rickett\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.15 EDT<\/p>\n 5 min: Trouble for Hull KR<\/a>? Sue has taken a nasty head knock after getting in the wrong position for a tackle. He looks to be a bit dazed.<\/p>\n Anyway, Wigan are firmly in the ascendancy, Hull KR are yet to escape from their own half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.08 EDT<\/p>\n 4 min: Wigan\u2019s first possession ends with a big up and under near the try-line that is claimed, magnificently, by Joe Burgess under lots of pressure from opponents. A tremendous take in the air.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 2 min: Sauaso Sue takes it up first for Hull KR<\/a>. Mikey Lewis eventually looks to kick downfield and Bevan French charges him down! Fortunately for Lewis, the ball squirts to a teammate.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.05 EDT<\/p>\n First half kick-off<\/p>\n Let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Fireworks, indie music, the crowd roaring, all the pomp and ceremony of a final. A few light warm-up handling drills for the players. We\u2019re moments away now.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a013.00 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cThe Pigeon Detectives are an English indie rock band from Rothwell in Leeds, West Yorkshire, who formed in 2004.\u201d<\/p>\n It says here<\/a>. And they are playing a song, right now, live!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n John Millington and Sir Billy Boston, two legends of the game, are greeted by the crowd before kick-off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Cameras in the changing rooms: The Hull KR<\/a> players are hugging it out. Wigan are standing in a circle having a final, quick motivational chat. The players will be out on the pitch shortly!<\/p>\n This being Old Trafford, will anyone be playing 3-4-3?<\/p>\n Ruben Amorim. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt\/AMA\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.54 EDT<\/p>\n Old Trafford is packed, there\u2019s a massive GRAND FINAL canvas draped across middle of the pitch, and now it\u2019s time for a belting rendition of \u201cJerusalem\u201d from Camilla Kerslake.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n You\u2019ve got time to have a crack at Paul Campbell\u2019s sports quiz of the week before kick-off:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I love pressure too. Can\u2019t get enough of the stuff if I\u2019m honest.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t get old,\u201d says Wigan head coach Matt Peet of the occasion. \u201cThis is why we do it. We need to savour this.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sky reporter, Jenna Brooks, asks a good question: Is there a point when Peet steps back, and hands the players the reins?<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, weeks ago. That\u2019s a process that we go through, through the year.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s times when it\u2019s coach-heavy and coach-led. But as the season goes on, and lessons are learned, we hand it over. Ultimately we can\u2019t play the game for them. They grip it.\u201d<\/p>\n How does he keep pressure off his players?<\/p>\n \u201cThey love pressure. Pile it on. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here. If you don\u2019t like pressure, sign for another club.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Peet eats pressure for breakfast. Photograph: Richard Sellers\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.46 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cBeing the most consistent team [in regular season] means nothing today,\u201d the Hull KR<\/a> coach, Willie Peters, tells Sky Sports. \u201cIt\u2019s about today. Winning the moment. Today\u2019s a big moment, and we need to win it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to be switched on for 80 minutes against this team. I\u2019ve got a lot of faith in the group. Now it\u2019s about going out and expressing themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hull KR\u2019s Challenge Cup win, in early June, was their first silverware in 40 years. Quite an amazing story.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here\u2019s a piece looking back to the 2015 Grand Final, by Gavin Willacy, with Josh Walters \u2013 who scored the key try for Leeds on that occasion:<\/p>\n Ten years ago this week Josh Walters took a simple pass and plunged over the tryline at Old Trafford to score the final try in the Super League Grand Final<\/a> as Leeds secured their seventh title. There were 73,512 fans inside the stadium and a couple of million more watching at home. He humbly plays down his role in the treble-clinching triumph. \u201cI never say it was the winning try because Kev [Sinfield] still had to kick the two points \u2013 my try brought us level and there was still 15 minutes left.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a> It is not just the walls of Wigan Warriors\u2019 plush Robin Park training complex that are draped with the historic moments of rugby league\u2019s most famous club. Almost everywhere you turn in the town, there is a nod to the great players and triumphs Wigan recalls with immense pride.<\/p>\n The modern era has not exactly been short on supply when it comes to similar memorable moments but in terms of teams and players that will stand the test of time, it is not unreasonable to suggest this current incarnation of Wigan Warriors is on the verge of entering the pantheon of the club\u2019s all-time greats.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n How do the bookies see it? <\/p>\n Hull KR<\/a> 7\/5 (Odds from Boyle Sports)<\/p>\n Wigan\u2019s Bevan French scores in the semi-final. The Warriors are the bookies\u2019 favourites for a third straight title. Photograph: Richard Sellers\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.25 EDT<\/p>\n Hull KR finished top of the pile in the regular season, with 22 wins out of 27 games. They had a points difference of +494.<\/p>\n Wigan, with 21 wins, were 461pts in credit.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Teams<\/p>\n Hull KR: Mourgue, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Lewis, May, Sue, McIlorum, Waerea-Hargreaves, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella. Replacements: Litten, Luckley, Whitbread, Martin.<\/p>\n Wigan Warriors: Field, Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall, French, Smith, Byrne, O\u2019Neill, Thompson, Walters, Farrell, Ellis. Replacements: Havard, Nsemba, Mago, Leeming.<\/p>\n Referee: Liam Moore<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Neil Hudgell has witnessed highs this summer that he and a generation of Hull KR<\/a> supporters perhaps thought they would never get to experience, but even in these most euphoric of times the low moments are never far from the forefront of his mind.<\/p>\n There have been plenty of those during his 20 years as owner of his boyhood club. Flirtations with administration, relegation from Super League in the most dramatic circumstances in 2016 courtesy of an extra-time defeat by Salford<\/a> and a 50-0 loss to Leeds<\/a> in the 2015 Challenge Cup final that Hudgell ranks as his lowest ebb.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ve got time to enjoy some pre-match reading before kick-off, which is coming up \u2026 don\u2019t forget you can email<\/a> me with your thoughts, hopes, expectations and even fears.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Wigan Warriors stand on the verge of greatness. Victory at Old Trafford today would secure three consecutive Super League titles, placing them in the same bracket as their most legendary predecessors at league\u2019s winningest club. \u201cWe\u2019re 80 minutes away from that,\u201d said the captain Liam Farrell<\/a>, \u201cand I believe we can go down as one of Wigan\u2019s great teams.\u201d<\/p>\n The only problem? Their opponents, Hull KR<\/a>, are buoyant after winning two trophies already this season and will not feel like underdogs, even against a side that have claimed the title two seasons running.<\/p>\n Hull KR will be all the more motivated after last season\u2019s Grand Final defeat by same opponents, when they lost 9-2<\/a>. That sounds more like a terrible poker hand than a rugby score, but shows we are very likely to witness a tense, ultra-competitive tussle over the next few hours. Let\u2019s get it on!<\/p>\n Kick-off: 6pm BST<\/p>\n![\"Aaron](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Aaron_Bower.png\")
Aaron Bower<\/p>\n
Wigan 4\/7
Draw 18\/1<\/p>\nAaron Bower<\/p>\n