Hull KR 27-18 Wigan Warriors: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Hull KR stunned Wigan Warriors this afternoon to start their season with an impressive win against the Cherry and Whites.

Highlights:

Hull KR strike first
It was the Robins who struck first through Ryan Hall. The winger finished in the corner after a Jordan Abdull kick was claimed by Shaun Kenny-Dowall and he fed Hall.

Lovely kick sees Wigan hit back
Wigan hit back with a delightful try. A nice kick over the top from Harry Smith was perfect to allow Liam Marshall to stroll in.

Field does what he does best
Then Jai Field did what he does best as he was given the ball by Toby King from a kick and he squeezed in at the corner. 8-6.

Another kick another try
Wigan added to their lead as a third try of the afternoon came from a kick. Cade Cust stabbing the ball through and Kai Pearce-Paul used his height to get there.

Hull KR finish first half strong
Hull KR drew level when Shaun Kenny-Dowall dummied his way over after a lovely passing play. Crucially, Lachlan Coote levelled with the boot and despite a disallowed try from Matt Parcell, a Jordan Abdull drop goal allowed Hull KR to take the lead into halftime.

Kane crashes over
Hull KR enjoyed the ideal start to the second half when an error allowed them the field position for Kane Linnett to cross from a crash ball.

Robins make pressure count
Hull KR were mounting the pressure and it paid off with a lovely move that saw James Batchelor feed Shaun Kenny-Dowall as they formed a makeshift partnership with Ryan Hall off with a rib injury.

Wigan’s threat from deep
The thing about this Wigan side is you can dominate for the most part but they have strike from depth and a lovely break from Liam Marshall and support from Jake Wardle allowed him to score.

Massive play from Batchelor sets Robins up for win
Jai Field is the most dangerous player in the league when returning kicks and he looked as if he’d got round the Hull KR defence but a sublime one on one strip from James Batchelor stopped him and gave Hull KR a big chance and another lovely passing move saw Kenny-Dowall cross for a hat-trick.

Talking Points:

Batchelor could be one of the signings of the season
James Batchelor has been in the shadow of his brother in recent years but is a great player himself. Willie Peters has talked him up since signing him from Wakefield Trinity saying he could be in the England mix. Batchelor was brilliant today even when he played in the centres. He came up with the match winning play.

Robins left edge sensational
Hull KR’s left edge proved sensational again today as always. They scored all five of their tries down that side showing that age is just a number.

Hull KR could be Huddersfield Giants of 2023
Huddersfield were the surprise package of 2022 as they defied those who wrote them off to finish third. Hull KR look like the side who could be that team in 2023.

Wigan still showing attacking prowess
Despite losing Wigan showed their attacking prowess today. They will still be the entertainers in 2023. This is a setback though.

Warriors worry
A worry for Wigan will be the goal kicking. They only kicked one goal from four and made it impossible to keep up with Hull KR’s scoring.

Player Ratings:

Hull KR
1 Lachlan Coote – 8
2 Ethan Ryan – 7
3 Tom Opacic – 7
4 Shaun Kenny-Dowall – 9
5 Ryan Hall – 7
20 Mikey Lewis – 7
7 Jordan Abdull – 8
8 Jeese Sue – 8
9 Matt Parcell – 8
15 Rhys Kennedy – 7
16 Joe Batchelor – 9
12 Kane Linnett – 8
13 Elliot Minchella – 8
Substitutes
10 George King – 7
14 Jez Litten – 7
17 Matty Storton – 8
22 Dean Hadley – 7

Wigan Warriors
1 Jai Field – 7
2 Bevan French – 7
3 Toby King – 7
4 Jake Wardle – 7
5 Liam Marshall – 7
6 Cade Cust – 7
7 Harry Smith – 7
14 Mike Cooper – 6
9 Sam Powell – 6
16 Ethan Havard – 6
17 Kai Pearce-Paul – 7
12 Liam Farrell – 6
13 Morgan Smithies – 6
Substitutes
8 Brad Singleton – 6
10 Liam Byrne – 6
22 Brad O’Neill – 6
15 Kaide Ellis – 6