Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors ‘licking their lips’ after Hull KR celebrations as Jon Wilkin makes bold statement

by
Sam Cook
June 16, 2025

The Challenge Cup celebrations on the field at Craven Park after Hull KR defeated Catalans Dragons will have ‘antagonised‘ Wigan Warriors, who Jon Wilkin has claimed are still the ‘greatest team in Super League’.

Willie Peters had confirmed during the week that his Hull KR players would parade the Challenge Cup trophy around the stadium, giving fans the chance to see that long-awaited silverware.

After absolutely hammering a hapless Catalans Dragons side by a score of 68-6, it’s fair to say there was a party atmosphere at Craven Park with the cup being brought out by Elliot Minchella before fireworks were launched.

As highlights of their Wembley success played on the big screen and the players and their families paraded the pitch, Sky Sports’ broadcast continued with host Brian Carney noting what reigning champions Wigan Warriors would be thinking as they watched on.

“The reigning champions will be watching this and they will be licking their lips,” Carney argued, noting: “These sides will meet again later this year, this is going to do nothing but fire up Matt Peet’s side.”

Wigan Warriors ‘best in Super League’ as ‘antagonised’ claim made

That meeting comes in Round 22 on August 15th and you could make strong arguments that neither team will have lost another game up until then, such is the form of the two teams currently.

As such, it may be a game where the League Leaders Shield is decided, as the Round 25 game was last year when Wigan edged Hull KR at the Brick Community Stadium.

Watching the celebrations, Jon Wilkin agreed with Carney that the celebrations would fire up the Warriors, even going as far as to declare Wigan the best team in Super League.

He stated: “I think Wigan are the best team in the competition. I think watching this will antagonise them to some extent.

“I think they’re humble enough to just congratulate Hull KR for their achievement but they will believe, and rightly so, that they’re the greatest team in our competition.”

On how that would change, he said: “Hull KR have got to do it against Wigan in a big game. They must. That’s their big challenge. That’s their big moment this year, when they face up against Wigan next time around.”

The Robins have fallen short twice in semi-finals against Wigan, both the 2024 Challenge Cup and the 2023 Super League, whilst they also lost last year’s Grand Final 9-2.