Jon Wilkin has argued that if Hull KR can bring the defensive A-game that they displayed in 2025, then the Robins can beat Leeds Rhinos in tonight’s standout game.
Despite winning his first six games against Leeds, Willie Peters has seen his side lose the last three games against the Rhinos with the most recent one being the embarrassing defeat in Las Vegas.
With the Rhinos flying high atop Super League and Hull KR yet to replicate their 2025 form, the betting favourites are the home side and Sky Sports’ pundits Jerome Guisset and Jon Wilkin have agreed with that.
“I think it could be a good time for revenge,” Guisset said during Sky’s coverage of Warrington Wolves versus Catalans Dragons, two of his former clubs.
However, he added: “I think looking at Leeds last week, the way they conduct themselves, I think they look very, very strong
“We talked about their spine. I think Lachie Miller at the back is the X-factor for them. The way he carries the ball, he attracts the defence and beats them.
“I’m going for a Leeds win. It’s going to be tight I think there’s going to be a drop goal at some stage because it’s going to be very, very tight, but I can see Leeds edging it towards the back end.”
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Hull KR defence challenged to stop Leeds Rhinos’ lightning attack
Hull-born Jon Wilkin held a similar view that the Rhinos are the team to beat with their spine and left edge dubbed ‘the fabulous five’ by the ex-St Helens man.
He said: “The core of their team – Connor, Croft, Lachie Miller and then Sivo and Handley on the left edge, looks electric.”
Despite that, he asserted that a prime defensive Hull KR can stop that quintet, as he claimed that the battle between Leeds’ attack and Hull KR’s defence is ‘where the game will be won’.
Wilkin asserted: “If Hull KR produce their best defensive display in 2026, they win the game.
“If Hull KR can replicate some of their defensive methods from 2025, they’ve been a little bit more inconsistent this year, they can shut that down.
“That’s where the battle lies. It’s Hull KR’s defence, championship defence, taking on what is a sizzling hot attack, which is great to watch.”
