Wigan losing the Grand Final was exactly what Super League needs
It was the result the neutrals wanted. One that most outside Wigan craved. The narrative that fulfilled the fairytale.
After four decades of wait and toil, and deep struggle, Hull Kingston Rovers are finally the champions again of English rugby league. The last time the Robins were victorious was in the mid-1980s when Roger Millward was coach, full-back George Fairbairn was the star and Margaret Thatcher was in her pomp in Downing Street.
For those in east Hull, Saturday night’s success made it all the sweeter after the long period in the doldrums. Nine years ago, Hull KR were relegated to the second division. In the late 1990s they almost went bust. Their rise has been like Rocky on the Humber.
But now they can celebrate one of the great all-time seasons. Hull KR hadn’t won the Challenge Cup since 1980, but that streak ended dramatically in Wembley in June. They hadn’t finished top since 1985, but won their first League Leader’s Shield this year.
Now the Super League crown has been added for the first time, a tremendous treble of trophies for more icing on the cake.
Super League was created in 1996, with investment from Sky Sports taking the sport into full-time professionalism. Since its inception, the competition has been dominated by just four clubs – Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls.
In the decades that followed, Bradford have suffered numerous financial problems and several administrations, and now compete in the Championship. The last time they won a Grand Final was back in 2005.
The 20 years since have seen Wigan win six titles, Leeds claim seven and St Helens win six. As the three clubs with the biggest fanbases, crowds and best academies, in a salary-capped sport, it is unsurprising that they have dominated the sport’s showpiece event.
Yes, other clubs have reached the Grand Final in that period – Catalans Dragons, Salford Red Devils, Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers, Hull FC. But none were able to get the job done in Manchester. None were able to lift themselves over that final, elusive hump.
Enter Hull KR. The Robins have smashed that stranglehold at the top with a mixture of hometown grit, hard work, proven entities and Antipodean excellence. A project that started at the end of 2022, when head coach Willie Peters joined the club, has really borne fruit.
Despite not having pathways that compare with the Rhinos, Warriors and Saints, Peters built a team around exciting locals Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten and Dean Hadley, and Bradfordian skipper Elliot Minchella.
His recruitment has been impressive – Kiwis such as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Peta Hiku, and fellow Australians such as Tyrone May, Jai Whitbread and Rhyse Martin – sprinkled with English veterans like Michael McIlorum, Oliver Gildart and Joe Burgess.
With the support of owner Neil Hudgell, a hometown hero and lawyer who was once a club ballboy, Hull KR’s business off the field has grown alongside the rise on the field. At Old Trafford that upward trajectory united in spectacular, historic fashion.
And the timing for Hull KR’s historic victory couldn’t have been better. Super League has enjoyed record crowds and ratings this year. On the field the action has been immense. A venture to Las Vegas in February was a highlight.
But off the field clubs are struggling financially and divisive politics has often taken centre stage. The Rugby Football League, the sport’s governing body, is in a mess, the battle for control has gotten ugly, and the vital television broadcasting deal is up for renewal.
In a few days’ time the world champion Kangaroos arrive in the UK for the first Ashes series since 2003. Already more than 120,000 tickets have been sold to see England try and end a 55-year Ashes drought. The series was moved from Australia to the UK at the request of Warrington owner Simon Moran, to provide a boost to the English game.
It has done just that and hopes are high these three Ashes Tests can break into the national consciousness. While international rugby league is going through a renaissance, the club arena is having peaks and troughs. The Robins’ breakthrough is the feel-good story that was needed.
