Leading voice in rugby league claims “Hull KR are the new Wigan” with Wembley fears aired

A leading rugby league voice has labelled Hull KR as the “new Wigan” after their electric start to the 2025 campaign.

Ironically, Wigan Warriors are the only team to have defeated Hull KR in 2025 with Matt Peet’s side piling the points on late in their victory at Craven Park earlier this year.

That’s the only blemish on the record of the Robins with Hull KR set to contest the Challenge Cup Final next weekend against Warrington Wolves in a game that could be a “one-horse race” according to former Sky Sports man Eddie Hemmings.

Hemmings was speaking on his Eddie & Stevo podcast with former Sky colleague Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson when he made the argument that unless Sam Burgess’ side see a serious upturn in their injury issues, Wembley could be a procession.

Speaking prior to KR’s 31-12 win over Warrington, Hemmings argued: “At the moment, when you look at it, Wembley feels like a one-horse race unless Warrington can get their stars patched up and quickly.”

On Warrington, the 2024 Challenge Cup runners-up, Hemmings said:”They’ve got to show up against Hull KR because in 2025, Hull KR are the new Wigan.

“They’re playing so well, the list of stars that they’ve got is endless. I know everyone talks about Mikey Lewis but they’re not a one-man band, they really aren’t. They’re a great side.”

Stevo outlines how Warrington can upset Hull KR at Wembley

Co-host Stevo, who has put forward a way to improve the video referee process, didn’t necessarily hold the same opinion as he outlined a way that Warrington Wolves could win, using a tactic that Hull KR have also perfected.

Having recalled Warrington’s spirit and ability to overcome Leigh in the Challenge Cup semi-final, Stevo argued that Sam Burgess’ side could possibly go toe-to-toe with Hull KR in respect of slowing their opponents down and not allow them to get on the front foot.

Speaking on the Wembley and how each side could slow the other down, he said: “Hull KR have got this ability to close down their opposition. If you can hold them down without getting the referee upset, and let’s face it in these big games and especially at Wembley, I’ve seen them play for half an hour without a penalty being given.

“You can push your attitude, especially in defence, to slow the process down. I’m not saying that they will but it wouldn’t surprise me if Warrington do that at Wembley.”

He had earlier explained: “A lot of people thought the semi-final would be a one-horse race. We know Warrington were struggling to get their best players back but their defence just shut down their opposition.

“Two and three players tackling, one on the floor, one making sure the opposition could’t get a quick play the ball situation. In effect, it was all about Warrington starving the opposition of being able to run 15 metres from the dummy-half because it took so long for the ball to be produced.

“It was tremendous what they did.”

It’s expected that George Williams will be back available for the game whilst Paul Vaughan is another in a race to be fit for the game.