Super League

Wigan Warriors 42-12 Hull KR: Highlights, talking points and player ratings

by
Louis Chapman-Coombe
October 7, 2023

Wigan Warriors put Hull KR to the sword with an emphatic 42-12 win to secure their place in the Super League Grand Final.

A Liam Marshall hat-trick, alongside a Jai Field brace and other tries from Toby King and Abbas Miski guided the League Leaders Shield winners to a date with the Catalans Dragons next weekend at Old Trafford; however it was heartbreak for Hull KR as they miss out on a maiden Grand Final.

Highlights

Wigan make perfect start

The Cherry and Whites got off to a flying start as Liam Marshall crossed the whitewash just two minutes into the game. A sweeping move through the Wigan backline found the ball in Jai Field’s hands, and the fullback burst through a gap and sent Marshall in for the games first try.

Field adds another

Field turned from provider to scorer as he put his name on the scoreboard in the sixth minute. A Harry Smith kick caused chaos in the Robins back line, and with a bit of luck the ball hit Field’s shin and he pounced on the ball to score.

Marshall gets his second

Marshall made KR pay for a piece of ill-discipline as he slid over for his brace. Quick hands from Jake Wardle kept the play alive, and Marshall wrong footed three defenders on the left edge and extend Wigan’s lead to 16 points with just 12 minutes played.

Minchella cuts into Wigan’s lead

Hull KR capitalised on a poor piece of handling from Abbas Miski to get their first points of the afternoon, as Elliot Minchella powered over from short range. An offload from Sam Luckley kept the play alive, and the forward found Matt Parcell, who sent Minchella through a gaping hole in the Wigan line to score.

Marshall completes his hat-trick

As was the case in the first half, Marshall scored with just two minutes played in the half. A kick from Harry Smith was swatted back by a Wigan hand, and another kick from French fell perfectly into Marshall’s hands for the winger to score his third.

Toby King adds Wigan’s fifth

Another Harry Smith cross-field kick caused chaos for the Hull KR defence, but this time it directly led to a try. Smith’s kick was swatted back by Kai Pearce-Paul and it fell directly into French’s hands who put it on a plate for King and the centre gleefully dived over to score on his final appearance at the DW in Cherry and White.

Field gets his second

Jai Field grabbed a well deserved brace to score Wigan’s sixth try. Quick feet from prop Patrick Mago created a crack in the Robins line, and Field burst through it to score.

Miski gets in on the action

Not to be outdone by his partner on the other edge, Abbas Miski grabbed a try as he dived over in the corner. This latest try took his tally up to 28 for the year.

Litten grabs a consolation try

In the dying embers of the game, there was one last hurrah for the Robins as Jez Litten went in under the stick. Jordan Abdull broke through a gap in the line, and he gifted Litten the ball to scamper in and score.

Talking points

Field try

Whilst the correct decision was made; Liam Moore initially looked to signal a 20 meter restart before going upstairs.

Wigan’s perfect start

It’s always important to get off to a fast start in a play-off game, and that’s exactly what Wigan did. The Cherry and Whites totally dominated the opening 15 minutes, and they made that dominance count as they raced into an 18 point lead.

Warriors make it to the Grand Final

Last year the Warriors were stunned at the DW by Leeds Rhinos, but they avenged that loss with a resounding win to reach Old Trafford.

Wigan putting down a marker

A date with Catalans Dragons now lies in wait for the Warriors, but they put down a real marker with this win. They were totally dominant on both sides of the ball.

Hull KR’s brilliant season comes to an end

The Robins have had a fantastic season up until this point, but they couldn’t get past the Warriors today.

Player ratings

Wigan Warriors

Jai Field-9

Abbas Miski-7

Toby King-7

Jake Wardle-7

Liam Marshall-9

Bevan French-8

Harry Smith-9

Tyler Dupree-7