Champions knocked off, semi-finals set, Hiku sees red, England reminder, and more Warrington Wolves v Hull KR talking points

Warrington Wolves have booked their spot in the Super League semi-finals after a convincing win over Hull KR, with Sam Burgess’ side keeping some of their best rugby until the play-offs.

Wire won 35-12 though they were perhaps more dominant than that, certainly in the first half. Peta Hiku’s red card early in the second half ensured that the Robins had a mountain to climb and despite pulling within four points, the hosts raced away to win.

It means Warrington will travel to Headingley on Friday night to take on Leeds Rhinos as they aim to make it to Old Trafford.

Ben Currie opened the scoring before a Ewan Irwin penalty extended that lead. Joe Burgess scored late in the first half before Matty Ashton’s even-later try handed the hosts a 12-6 lead at the break.

Following Peta Hiku’s red card, Matty Ashton and Dean Hadley traded tries but Ashton then completed his hat-trick before Albert Hopoate and Toby King scored either side of a George Williams’ drop goal that put the cherry on top of the win.

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Warrington Wolves and Hull KR talking points

Semi-finals set

Wakefield Trinity booked their spot in the semi-finals on Friday night, joining both Wigan Wariors and Leeds Rhinos, but it wasn’t until the conclusion of this game that the semi-final match-ups were determined.

With their win, Warrington ensure they head to take on Leeds Rhinos on Friday in their bid to make it to Old Trafford. It also means that Wakefield will have to travel to Wigan a week today if they’re to make it to a first-ever Super League Grand Final.

Could it finally be Warrington’s year?

A Warrington side of old could well have folded at multiple times in this game. Conceding just before the half time hooter would have been a hammer blow to past Wire sides. For this one, they responded with an even later first-half try.

When Dean Hadley crossed over to make it 16-12 with 25 minutes to go, the Robins built up a real head of steam and in years gone by, maybe Wire fold. Instead, this Warrington side make a big play and go score at the other end.

This is a Warrington side that hasn’t been out of the top four since round three and yet people still question them and they continuously answer questions. With a trip to Headingley on Friday, you would not rule them out to answer some more questions and seal a long-awaited return to Old Trafford.

End of an era for Rovers

With today’s defeat comes the end of an era for Hull KR with head coach Willie Peters, who is certainly their greatest coach in the Super League era and possibly the best of all time, departs the club to coach in the NRL.

We already know that Nathan Cayless will be his successor but what he’ll bring is unclear. Few would expect Willie Peters to bring the unprecedented success that he did yet he did, and unfortunately he doesn’t get his swansong exit.

He did get a Hull KR performance of old in terms of the effort and the moments where it genuinely felt like they could mount the comeback, however, errors and big plays from Warrington denied any chance of that.

As such, Peters bows out in defeat but he goes down as a club legend.

England auditions

If Matty Ashton was not on the plane before today, he surely has either booked his place or at least given Brian McDermott a major headache with the Warrington man scoring a hat-trick and registering Super League tries 100, 101 and 102 on his personal account.

Another in primrose and blue that impressed from an England standpoint was Danny Walker, who you’d argue outplayed his opposite number Jez Litten and that will surely create a headache for Brian McDermott.

It’s largely expected that Brad O’Neill will be England’s starting nine but the race to back him up probably comes down to Litten and Walker, the latter of whom kicked a brilliant 40/20 in his impressive display.

Hiku sees red

After seeing a red card in Friday night’s Super League play-off clash when Wakefield prop Emre Guler was adjudged to have thrown a punch, Peta Hiku received his marching orders for the same offence.

The term punch is perhaps overdoing it but by the letter of the law, the Hull KR man had a clenched fist and motioned it towards and made contact with an opponent – thus a punch and a red card.

Whether it was deserved will be debated, although the precedent was set on Friday night, but one thing was certain and that’s the fact it was stupid. Just two minutes into the second half after a first 40 where Rovers were dominated, Hiku acted in a way that doesn’t befit a man of his experience.

Hospital trip for star man

Hull KR winger Tom Davies was on the end of head-to-head contact in just the second minute, something that forced him off the field for a Head Injury Assessment – massively disrupting the Robins’ interchange plan.

Whilst Davies passed his HIA, he stayed in the dressing room for further assessment after what Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks called heavy bruising, and it was then confirmed by the BBC’s Matt Newsum that the winger had been taken to hospital.

Willie Peters will surely provide an update post-match but it’s a concerning state of affairs for the outside back.

An emphatic @WarringtonRLFC win which sees them defeat the reigning champions 👏#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/6r4iPhYnzQ

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 19, 2026