Hull KR hosted Salford Red Devils in Round Three of Super League and here’s our verdict on how it all unfolded.
The Robins put in a dominant performance to win 42-0 although much of their dominance was built on Salford’s dismal performance with the Red Devils looking an absolute shell of the team who made the play-offs in 2024.
Ill-discipline and errors were the theme of the night for Salford who seem to be having a major hangover after their drawn-out financial worries. As for Hull KR, they were clinical despite missing a number of key stars
Hull KR entered the game without both their starting halves with Mikey Lewis injured in last week’s win over Wakefield Trinity whilst Tyrone May didn’t pass a late fitness test after a previous hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Salford were missing Joe Shorrocks after his ban with the Red Devils looking to get their first win and Hull KR looking to go three from three.
Here’s our verdict on the game.
Hull KR hammer hapless Red Devils
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Salford scored after just 90 seconds last week and this week it took just 90 seconds for them to drop to 12 men with Jayden Nikorima sin-binned for a high shot on Niall Evalds, creating more spine issues for the home side.
Kelepi Tanginoa was subbed on for Evalds, who was ruled out after a HIA, and the second-rower crashed over easily on the back of a Danny Richardson pass to open the scoring. Less than five minutes later and Oliver Gildart was over in the other corner after a smart shift to the left.
Tom Davies then scored in the opposite corner but the concerning fact was Danny Richardson had to kick with Rhyse Martin leaving the field due to injury. Despite that Richardson converted and later added two more points from a penalty in front of the posts to make it 18-0 after 20 minutes. He would kick another penalty before the half to enter the dressing rooms with a 20-0 lead.
That lead was quickly extended as Jack Broadbent danced through some motionless defenders to score on his 100th career appearance. After more Salford penalties, KR scored again through Jai Whitbread to make it 30-0 and all but seal the game for the Robins.
A long Jez Litten kick was dropped by Ryan Brierley, something that summed up their night, and from that set Litten used his speed to set up Whitbread once again with the forward doubling up.
Relentless ill-discipline from Salford saw Chris Hill sin-binned for an accumulation of the team’s offences. That aforementioned Litten speed was on show again minutes later but this time he darted over himself. A scrappy final few minutes were played out with Salford clearly keen to get back over the Pennines and put behind them a disastrous performance.
Good day for
Your @Hirebaseuk1 Player of the Match 🔥
Great performance, D-Rich 😮💨#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CucGdu6qUF
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) February 27, 2025
Danny Richardson’s job as a back-up is to be ready when called upon and that’s exactly what he was. Salford made it easy for him but Richardson hardly put a foot wrong all night and for someone in his position, performances like this could catch the eye of other Super League sides looking for a starter in 2026.
Bad day for
Paul Rowley will have been pulling his hair out watching that performance. In some ways, you could argue that it was worse than the record-breaking Round One defeat given that most of his first-team players were playing. Hull KR had it so easy all night with Salford’s discipline being a major concern.
Star Man
Danny Richardson was brilliant but Jack Broadbent stole the night after being moved to full-back following Niall Evald’s early exit. The ex-Cas man scored a brilliant try and had a hand in several others.
Teams
Hull KR XIII: Niall Evalds; Tom Davies, Jack Broadbent, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Peta Hiku, Danny Richardson; Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; James Batchelor, Rhyse Martin, Elliot Minchella
Interchanges: Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, Jai Whitbread, Kelepi Tanginoa
Salford Red Devils XIII: Ryan Brierley; Nene Macdonald, Esan Marsters, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross; Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd; Brad Singleton, Chris Atkin, Jack Ormondroyd; Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins, Chris Hill
Interchanges: Chris Hankinson, Justin Sangare, Joe Bullock, Tiaki Chan
First tie of #SuperLeague Round 3 is here! 🔴
Watch @hullkrofficial host @SalfordDevils tonight at 8pm live on @SkySports AND SuperLeague+ 📲 pic.twitter.com/diVJqolBR4
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 27, 2025
