Hull KR’s path to Challenge Cup victory over Warrington Wolves including stifling key man

Hull KR are the clear favourites to win the Challenge Cup this weekend and deservedly so. The Robins are top of the Super League table having lost just one game all season and they cruised to victory against Warrington Wolves just two weeks ago.

The Robins are no strangers to the big stage now either, reaching the Challenge Cup final in 2023 and the Grand Final in 2024. The only thing left for them to do is get over the line and take silverware back to Craven Park for the first time since 1985.

It’s been a hell of a drought, but KR will probably never get a better chance to win a trophy and the odds reflect that with Willie Peters’ side being 1/4 favourites to get the job done at the time of writing. What’s clear is then that if Rovers perform as they have done for much of the season they should have more than enough to beat Warrington at the national stadium, but rugby league isn’t always that simple.

Here’s what we think could well be KR’s keys to victory on Saturday afternoon.

Handle the occasion

It might seem simplistic, but that’s something KR have been accused of failing to do in their last two finals. The good thing is that they know what to expect now and the recruitment since that 2023 run out at Wembley has seen proven winners added to the group in a number of key positions.

As such, the expectation is that they can learn from past mistakes and take the final and everything that comes with it in their stride, but that’s easier said than done.  Peters will be keen for his side to make the most of captain’s run on Friday afternoon in order to get used to their surroundings before game day.

If the Robins cope with the pressure and feel comfortable enough to play their natural game in the capital, they’ll have too much for Warrington and they’ll be more than aware of that, as well.

Up the ante early

Rovers always start hot. They’re arguably the fittest team in Super League and that’s what they’ve built much of their recent success on: dialling up the intensity from the start, pushing opponents to their limits and getting their rewards later in games.

Peters will want to see his side follow that blueprint, but he’ll also been keen to see his side pour it on even harder in the hope of seeing the Wolves wilt on the big stage. Early possession, field position and pressure can not only see Hull KR gain an advantage on the scoreboard, but it can realistically take enough out of Warrington both mentally and physically to effectively wrap the game up before the interval.

Stifle the kicking game

Wembley’s pitch will be slightly bigger than most, if not all, Super League pitches and exploiting that space will be one of Warrington’s keys to victory. With Marc Sneyd in the ranks, Warrington will kick early, they’ll look for 40/20s and they’ll strive to get the likes of Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess and Tom Davies running back towards their own posts.

Consequently, Rovers have to put pressure on Sneyd in a bid to nullify his natural game. Line speed will be pivotal to ensuring he is given no time to pick his spot and the edges have a role in stopping him from shifting the ball to wide areas. If Sneyd finds his options being shut down, he’ll struggle to have an influence on the contest, it’s as simple as that.

George Williams provides another kicking option with the stand-off returning from injury in time to play at Wembley. He’s fit and raring to go, but after seven weeks out, he won’t be as sharp as he would like and putting him under the pump will certainly be on KR’s mind, too.

Keep it clean

Discipline, discipline, discipline. Hull KR won’t be able to play the game they want to if they find themselves being consistently punished by the referee.

As such, the most important thing they can do at Wembley is keep the penalty count down, keep 13 men on the field at all times and keep their cool. KR have players who can get drawn in, and Mikey Lewis is a shining example of that.

The half-back will get stuck in and he regularly plays his best stuff when he’s on the edge, but if he or any of his teammates make the mistake of overstepping that mark, it could be costly.