Hull KR Crush Under-Strength Wigan in Challenge Cup Final Rehearsal

Hull KR dominated an under-strength Wigan side 68-6 on Friday night, a result that highlighted the contrasting preparations for next weekend’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley and raised concerns about Super League’s image.

Rovers coach Willie Peters fielded a near full-strength lineup, while Wigan’s Matt Peet rested almost his entire cup final squad, giving eight players their debuts and fielding only three players over 23.

The 62-point defeat was one of Wigan’s heaviest in the modern era, a margin that could impact their playoff position in a tight Super League table near the halfway point of the season.

Peters said his side simply did the job at hand, running in 11 tries and building a 42-0 halftime lead to move within two points of leaders St Helens.

Mikey Lewis scored a hat-trick in the first quarter, with Tom Davies, Jez Litten, Jai Whitbread, and Rhyse Martin all crossing the line with ease against Wigan’s inexperienced lineup.

Peet defended his decision, saying the club was being ‘intelligent’ in managing players’ workloads, with several key players one disciplinary charge away from missing the final and others carrying injuries.

The Rugby Football League confirmed it had contacted Wigan about the squad selection but would take no action, a stance that drew scrutiny after Salford were docked points last year for deliberately resting players against St Helens.

Wigan’s young side showed effort, with Nathan Lowe scoring a long-range try early in the second half, but Dean Hadley, Noah Booth, Sam Luckley, and Jack Broadbent added further tries for Hull KR.

The mismatch came at a crucial time for Super League, with its TV contract up for renewal and the sport’s health dependent on the outcome of negotiations.

The prospect of the two most recent champions meeting the week before a final should have been a marquee event, but instead it became a non-event that left sponsors, administrators, and potential broadcasters questioning the competition’s appeal.

The true measure of each team’s approach will come in nine days at Wembley, but for Super League, the night was one the competition will want to forget as quickly as possible.