The harsh lessons Hull KR will have learned from Wigan Warriors defeat

Last week, we saw perhaps the biggest game of the season, as Hull KR and Wigan Warriors faced off in a top-of-the-table clash.

The Robins raced into a 10-0 lead, but eventually slipped to defeat – with all 24 of Wigan Warriors’ points being during periods in which Hull KR were down to 12 men.

Therefore, it was certainly impacted by yellow cards to Joe Burgess and Jai Whitbread, and that was what saw the Warriors move into prime position to win the League Leaders’ Shield.

With just two rounds left now of the regular season, it may well have decided who goes ahead and takes top spot, and therefore the prime seeding for the play-offs.

The harsh lessons Hull KR will learn from Wigan Warriors defeat

Speaking on the 5 Live Rugby League podcast, Kallum Watkins, captain of Salford Red Devils, said: “Discipline has always been something that we’ve known is crucial in big games and exploiting weaknesses has always been on the other side.

“Wigan are very, very dangerous against 13, but against 12, if you put yourself under pressure by giving penalties away and going men down, then against the best teams you’re going to get burnt.

“That probably is the biggest lesson that Willie Peters and his men will learn from that game.”

As well as affecting the game against Wigan, discipline could have a major effect on this week’s game against in-form Leigh Leopards.

Jai Whitbread, sin-binned for a high shot against Wigan, has now been given a Grade C Head Contact charge, meaning he will miss the match, and potentially see then miss out on the Shield with a game to go.

Watkins also had plenty to say about players staying down in order to get decisions – something we did see in the Wigan-Hull KR game.

He said: “There’s no to ways about it, it is happening – but what I would say is it’s been happening all the time.

“This isn’t a new thing, people staying down, the fact that the rules have got stricter and players are exploiting it. We’ve seen how important it is, you know, players staying down.

“Sometimes you’ve got to say they’re staying down to get the right decision as well. It’s playing to the rules and it’s playing the game.

“I just hope we start putting things on report (rather than immediately card players) because we can still punish the players.

“Rather than at the heat of the battle, let it be done after, when the dust settles.”