Hull KR conceded at the death to lose to Wakefield Trinity in a Super League classic that was marred by two red cards and a number of contentious calls.
Mason Lino scored in the 78th minute to edge Wakefield ahead as the home side won 26-24 with Lino converting his own try to ensure the game did not go to golden point.
It will be more heartbreak for Hull KR after last week’s Challenge Cup Final defeat but the fatigue of that game surely caught up to them in what was one of the longest second-half periods in recent Super League history.
Wakefield Trinity led 16-12 at the half but it arguably should have been more, however, the Robins slowly clawed their way back into it, eventually taking the lead through Tyrone May after both teams went down to 12 players following two red cards in the space of five minutes.
It looked like the Robins would edge it until Mason Lino’s late try to seal it as Wakefield moved third in Super League, leapfrogging the Robins. Here are some of the key talking points from that game.
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Wakefield Trinity and Hull KR talking points
Contentious two minutes
Wakefield went from possibly 10-0 up with a kick to come to being level at 6-6 in a matter of minutes as two huge calls went against the home side.
Cam Scott though he had intercepted Tom Amone’s offload and raced 80 metres away to extend Wakefield’s lead, however, referee Aaron Moore had blown up to stop the play for an earlier knock on.
When reviewed by Wakefield, the knock-on was inconclusive with Hull KR handed a penalty instead, as initially awarded on field. Wakefield then defended that brilliantly as they forced Peta Hiku into touch, only for Moore to rule that the centre had been held, thus giving KR another penalty.
It was from that penalty that Mikey Lewis scored to level the score at 6-6 but only after two hugely contentious decisions went against Wakefield, understandably leaving Daryl Powell furious.
Double sin bin confusion
All of the above was played out with 12 men for each side as Mason Lino and Joe Burgess were both sent to the sin bin in confusing circumstances.
Burgess rose highest to claim a high kick but he was met high by Wakefield’s Mason Lino with the winger then kicking out at second tackler Isaiah Vagana.
After much discussion with his touch judge and the video referee, it was decided by referee Aaron Moore that Mason Lino should be sent for ten for a high shot, whilst Joe Burgess was then also punished for kicking out.
The decision was a confusing one truthfully with Lino’s contact minimal, whilst Burgess’ kick out wasn’t all that forceful either. Given that both sides had players sent to the bin, it was a situation where you wonder if the official was best leaving it at 13 against 13.
Storton and Sue both see red
In a game that was heavy on referee involvement, even more came on the hour as Wakefield’s Matty Storton was sent off despite no action being taken initially. Hull KR second-rower James Batchelor was tackled hard and it was only after the forward stated down after contact that any part of the tackle was further assessed.
No penalty was given at all and the only reason that play was stopped was because of how long it took James Batchelor to get to his feet, at which point the slowed-down replay was checked by the video referee Liam Rush.
From there, it became evident that Matty Storton caught Batchelor high and made contact with the head but even so, many were surprised when the result was a straight red card as opposed to a sin bin. Whilst it was perhaps the right call to the letter of the law, the bigger question was how and why Aaron Moore missed the incident at first.
One incident that was not missed at all came just minutes later when Sauaso Sue wrapped his arm directly around the head of Tray Lolesio in a completely unnecessary act that will likely result in a lengthy ban.
Mason Lino saves the day
After missing kicks earlier in the day, it was Mason Lino who scored in the 78th minute to level the game up at 24-24 before then kicking the conversion to ensure the win in dramatic circumstances.
Jay Pitts deserves the plaudits for his incredible offload but it was Lino’s determination to support the forward that paid dividends, with Lino sending the Wakefield crowd into delirium.
Remembering John Kear
It’s been a week of mourning and remembrance across the sport and today was its culmination as Wakefield Trinity put on a wonderful tribute to John Kear following his sad passing last week.
Dozens of players turned out to pay tribute whilst the BBC’s own video tribute, voiced by Kear’s good friend Dave Woods, was full of emotion and wonderfully put together. If there’s anything this sport is brilliant at, it’s remembering and paying respect to our own and John Kear was the very best of rugby league people.
What a game 👏@WTrinityRL win it at the end 😳#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/YDLlmiE0Ss
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 6, 2026
