Super League – Hull KR vs Wigan, David versus Goliath – Rugby in XIII

The poster for the 2024 Super League final is not surprising given the season of Wigan and Hull KR. But what about the differences that separate these two clubs with very different pasts?

Wigan, le Back to Back

The Warriors have let the storm pass in recent years. Dominated by the hegemony of St Helens, crowned champion 4 times in a row (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), the Warriors wisely waited their turn to finally establish their domination over English rugby. Wigan has therefore regained its splendor, one of the most emblematic clubs in our sport across the Channel, and the most successful club in history.

Already last year, the machine was underway. Winner of the League Leaders’ Shield, Wigan made short work of the Catalan Dragons in the final at Old Trafford and lifted their 6th Super League since its creation in 1996. This year again, the club from the suburbs of Manchester is back in the “Theater of Dreams”. First in the standings, Liam Farrell and his men finished the season with 44 points gleaned from their 22 victories in 27 matches.

A back to back in the Super League final which leaves Matt Peet and his team 80 minutes away from a championship, cup and Club World Cup treble this season.

Hull KR, finally the last four

It was jubilation that invaded Craven Park during the three whistles from the referee during the semi-final. Hull KR held their ticket for the first grand final in their history after a match of crazy suspense. The Robins had been flirting with the last four for several seasons without ever managing to tip the scales in their favor.

In 2021, they create the feat. After qualifying for the playoffs at the last minute, Hull knocked out Warrington in the quarter but left Perpignan with the ticket to their first final. It won’t be this time. In 2023, Hull KR is back, and in 4th place this time. Leigh did not fight in the quarter-final, but it was again in the semi-final that the adventure ended, against Wigan, future champion. But Robins fans know, their time will come.

And the day of glory has come, or rather the season of glory. 2nd in the standings, two small points behind rival Wigan who they face in the final, the Robins have had the most successful season in their history. Long at the top of the standings, dominating each of the teams that advanced against them, Willie Peters’ men collapsed at the very end of the race and had to resolve to cede the League Leadershield to the Warriors. Hull KR eliminates Warrington in a crazy semi-final (10-8) and finally holds its grand final.

Wigan, the giant

In the Super League, Wigan is an institution. A real factory but above all a machine as such. Since the creation of the club in 1872, the “Cherry and White” have continued to dominate English rugby and have created a simply astonishing record. From the first title in 1909 to the epic 90s (7 consecutive titles in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996), Wigan won a whopping 23 English championship titles, which makes Manchester club the most successful team in history.

But Wigan has also seen great names in our sport and oval ball in general. Gary Connolly, full-back Jason Robinson but also Andy Farell, former third row and current coach of the Clover XV, all took to the pitch at the DW Stadium in the white and burgundy colors.

Hull KR, a little thumb who grew up

Hull KR’s rise is coming to an end. Obviously, as for all clubs, the outcome of this would be the Holy Grail, a final title. But when, like the Robins, we have experienced the lower depths of the English thirteenth hierarchy, a major season like the one they have just experienced is already a success.

Introduced in 2006 in the Super League, a decade after its creation, the Robins managed to stay in the wagon of the English first division, even securing a 4th place, their highest ranking, in 2009. But this period only lasted 10 years. 11th in the standings, Hull KR could not avoid relegation in 2016 and returned to the Championship the following year. Through hard work and self-sacrifice, Hull KR finally returned to the Super League in 2018 and will gradually climb the ranks until they return to the top of the table.

Wigan, the experience

But then how can we once again justify Wigan’s presence in the final? Well perhaps firstly by his experience in the final stages. Facing Leigh in the semi-final (38-0), it was the experience of high-stakes matches that made the difference. The Leopards, dominating at times, were unable to materialize, often rushing in front of the score line. While their opponents, reigning champions, converted each of their forays into the Leigh camp by points. Clear result.

But it is also throughout the season that Wigan knows how to demonstrate experience. Being one of the clubs least affected by injuries (apart from Isa, O’Neill and Farell with long-term injuries), Wigan and Matt Peet perfectly knew how to alternate between rotation of managers and seriousness in each of their matches to be sure to win every time.

Finally, it is perhaps also towards the recruitment strategy that we must turn. And what Wigan knows how to do best is confront the two major schools. Quality training and intelligently chosen recruits.

The first is illustrated by the total explosion of Junior Nsemba, only 20 years old, author of a grandiose season. But also by the little pocket hooker Tom Forber who made his Super League debut this season. And the second is illustrated by cleverly drawn picks from the NRL or the Australian second division, the NSW and the QLD Cup. This is for example the case of Kaide Ellis, Jai Field and Bevan French who today form the backbone and the brain of the steamroller that Wigan has become.

Hull KR, continuity

For the Robins, it is consistency that must be drawn to explain the results of this season. No big stars, a team that does a good job without being the best at it, but a united first team that has a sense of sacrifice more than anyone else in the championship this year.

Around a hinge remodeled this year, the vision and passion of Mikey Lewis (24 assists, 19 tries) combined with the serenity and experience of 2021 NRL champion Tyrone May got the better of the Super League defenses. But that’s not the Robins’ strength. Because this season, out of the 27 matches played by Hull KR, coach Willie Peters only used 26 players.

Like Wigan, Hull KR displays astonishing resistance, or at least enormous physical preparation. This allowed the Robins staff to often align the same frame, particularly in key positions, thus improving day by day the automatisms between the players.

But these results are mainly explained by the previous package. Any rugby connoisseur knows that when the big guys advance, three-quarters have fun. Well this season at Hull KR the pack have excelled in two areas. That of conquest and that of defense. We really noticed this during the semi-final. KR was impressive in their solidarity and self-sacrifice in the face of repeated attacks from Warrington Wolves.

Wigan conquered ground

As we said, Wigan achieve the back to back and move forward confidently in a situation they already know. Most of the players crowned champions in 2023 are still there and know what awaits them. They know the pressure, the pitch, the stifling atmosphere of a packed Old Trafford. Wigan know all that. But as always, a final is never a foregone conclusion, especially against a newcomer who is entering the doors of a Theater of Dreams that he has never set foot in before. Wigan advantage, then, but can they be surprised?

Hull KR, the pressure of the new kid

Well yes, they can. They can because unlike Wigan, the Robins have nothing to lose. The title is obviously a goal but the success of this season, which the eternally dissatisfied Willie Peters cannot be satisfied with, could push Hull KR to achieve the inconceivable and redouble their efforts to bring down Wigan and prevent them from winning the treble.

The pressure of the moment, the pressure of the environment, obviously it is on the shoulders of the Robins but wouldn’t it be on those of the Warriors that the most pressure hangs? The answer Saturday October 12 at 7 p.m., on the green rectangle at Old Trafford.

Thirteen World Cup