Wakefield Trinity have completed a huge upset victory, after beating Hull KR 28-12 to put one hand on a top six playoff spot.
Racing to a 26-0 lead at the break, the DIY Kitchens was stunned into shock, with both sets of fans having no idea on what they’d just witnessed.
Jake Trueman broke the deadlock after just six minutes, as he capitalised on Jack Broadbent’s failure to catch a high kick. That was swiftly followed by a penalty goal to give them a two-score lead after just eight minutes.
Whilst they failed to score a try in the second half, their defence was good enough to hold off any sort of comeback. Arthur Mourgue and the returning Oliver Gildart crossed for consolation tries, in what was a lacklustre KR performance.
Here are the key talking points from this evening’s game.
Wakefield Trinity vs Hull KR talking points:
Wakefield, wow!
Four first half tries from Wakefield blew the Robins away, as Trueman, Mason Lino, Max Jowitt and Cameron Scott all crossed before the break, helping them to a 26-0 half time lead.
Their attack was clinical, as they targeted KR’s left edge and came away with plenty of success. It was a completely different performance to the one that they produced against Castleford, and it will give them huge confidence going into a potential playoff campaign.
Trinity’s spine were at the forefront of the attack, with Lino and Jowitt having stellar games to help their side earn the win. Young hooker Harvey Smith also impressed, as his runs from dummy half allowed for Wakefield to speed the game up and get over the advantage line.
Hull KR implode
A bad day at the office is a huge understatement this evening, with Willie Peters’ side producing their worst performance of the year at arguably the most crucial time. Defensive frailties, a lack of cohesion and an inability to gain any consistency meant they had no answer to the questions posed by Wakefield.
Their pack was dominated, which gave Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May no chance to create any sort of attacking threat. The injury to Sauaso Sue a month ago has impacted KR’s go-forward and the current props weren’t able to match the intensity of Trinity.
League Leaders Shield delayed
A win for Hull KR would have secured them the League Leaders Shield, however they will now take it to the final round, with Wigan Warriors still in with a chance.
The Robins will have to beat Warrington Wolves next week to secure the silverware. Based on this season that would be all but a certainty, but tonight’s performance means they need to regroup and put on a professional display next week against the Wire.
Wigan would need Hull KR to lose, then beat Leeds Rhinos by a fair margin to earn the shield. It is highly unlikely, but as this result epitomises, never say never in rugby league.
One hand on the playoffs
A performance of such quality came with great rewards, with Daryl Powell’s men all but confirming their place in the top six playoffs. Hull FC’s win over Warrington Wolves, which was played at the same time as this game, means that there is still one point between them and the Black and Whites, but a final round game against struggling Salford means that barring an unlikely defeat, they will be in the six.
The victory is one of many big wins by Daryl Powell’s men this year, with Trinity beating now beating four of the other five playoff sides. Only St Helens have got the better of Wakefield on every occasion in 2025, which will give them huge confidence as they look to make the Grand Final.
Wakefield’s development highlighted
It is two years next week since Wakefield were confirmed to be relegated from Super League, after a horror 2023 season. The relegation could be considered as the best thing that has happened for the West Yorkshire side, as it has allowed them to rejuvenate the club, on and off the field.
Owner Matt Ellis has come in and brought new lift to the club, with huge stadium improvements, matchday experience overhauled completely and a competitive team on-field. Trinity are a club looking to the future, with a focus on their youth pathways and developing their own stars.
Signings such as Jazz Tevaga and Tyson Smoothy will only bolster this already strong Wakefield side, as they look to push on from what has been a hugely successful 2025.
Gildart and Rodwell return
Players from both sides made their return from long-term injuries, in what is a big boost for both clubs ahead of the playoffs. Oliver Gildart returned for Hull KR, after picking up a knee injury that required surgery. He last played at Magic Weekend, but returned to the starting side, with Joe Burgess’ absence giving him a place in the back line.
The former Wigan man was on the wrong side of the result, but managed to seal his return with a try,
For Wakefield, Aussie prop Ky Rodwell came on from the bench after missing the last 16 matches. Suffering a knee injury against Castleford in April, he was met with huge applause by the Trinity faithful as he made his long-awaited return.
