Rugby League has had several great teams over the years, whether we restrict ourselves purely to the Super League era, from 1996 onwards, or we include the whole history of the sport. In terms of the former, in recent times we have seen a brilliant St Helens win four Super Leagues in a row from 2019 onwards, whilst before that Leeds Rhinos won five in six years between 2007 and 2012.
When we think of rugby league’s top teams, generally most fans would name those two and Wigan. It is safe to say that Hull Kingston Rovers are not a club that is readily associated with the top echelons of the sport. However, for the first time ever, the club has made it through to the Grand Final.
Hull, the city, is unique in rugby league in supporting two top sides. This is common in football, with, for example, Manchester City and Manchester United, Everton and Liverpool, and Arsenal and Spurs, all big teams – and rivals – based in the same city. However, in rugby many of the best teams have tended to come from smaller cities and towns that would not be expected to have two major clubs. Leeds is the main exception but there is only the Rhinos in the West Yorkshire city as far as an elite side is concerned.
In Hull, though, there are two sides, both of whom were present in the latest season of Super League. The more prosaically named Hull FC finished second-last in 11th, with only London Broncos beneath them. However, Hull Kingston Rovers, or Hull KR as they are often called, had one of the best seasons in their history.
Hull KR Worthy Finalists
Hull KR finished second in the normal season, winning 21 of their 27 matches, with only Wigan winning more. With 42 points they finished second to the Warriors, though boasted a superior points difference. They will face Wigan in the Super League Grand Final on the 12th of October in what promises to be a special occasion for all connected to the club.
Their honours board is not one that has been troubled much in recent years, and the club, founded in 1882, as Kingston Amateurs, have spent many seasons outside the top tier in recent times. They last won a major trophy back in 1984/85, when they were crowned champions of what was then called the First Division. The 1970s and 1980s were a golden era for the club and they won three of their five top-flight championships between 1979 and 1985. The other two came back in the 1920s. The team from the East Riding of Yorkshire also won the Challenge Cup for the only time in their history in 1980, also winning the League Cup in 1985.
Since then they have generally struggled. Hull FC have hardly set the world of rugby league on fire but they have played 10 more seasons in the Super League than Hull KR. In addition, Hull FC made the Grand Final in 2006, something their city rivals never managed… until now.
Hope and Steady Progress
There is huge optimism and hope around Hull’s “second” side (Hull FC were founded even earlier, in 1865) and their fans have really enjoyed surfing this wave. They won the Championship (both the Leaders’ Shield and the final) in 2017 and since then have been trying to consolidate their position in Super League.
They have done a really good job of that too, although on their initial return they struggled for a few seasons. However, in 2021 they won half of their games and took a big step forward to finish in mid-table. That was a serious improvement for them and they made the play-offs, progressing from the eliminator but losing in the semis.
In 2022, they finished in eighth place but last season they did better, ending fourth after winning 16 of their 27 matches. They lost in the semis once again but that gave them the confidence to believe they could mix it with the best and in 2024 that is exactly what they have done.
Route to the Grand Final
Willie Peters’ side finished second as said, meaning they qualified automatically for the semis, where they faced the winner of the game between third-placed Warrington and sixth-placed Saints. The Wolves edged a thriller 23-22 on a golden point to set up a game at the Yorkshire side’s Craven Park home.
Warrington boasted the best points difference of all the sides during the normal season and with the hosts without suspended skipper Elliot Minchella it was always likely to be a close game. The visitors had finished just two points adrift of Hull KR during the 27-match season and in the three previous meetings in 2024 Warrington had the upper hand by two games to one. However, on the day the home team had just enough, winning 10-8 after they had been 10-0 up at the interval.
That set up a clash with Wigan, who had made rather easier work of beating their opponent in the semis, Leigh Leopards. The Greater Manchester side have spent most of their history outside the game’s elite but did really well in 2024. They finished fifth but managed to beat Salford in the eliminator. However, up against the Warriors they were outclassed, losing 38-0 at a packed and hostile stadium.
Can They Win it?
There are leagues within leagues and Hull KR are not one of the sport’s biggest or, historically, best sides. In contrast, Wigan are the most successful side in English rugby history, with 23 titles overall. Six of those have come in the Super League era and only St Helens have played in the Grand Final more than them (15 to Wigan’s 12). But will Wigan’s 13th appearance in the Super League showpiece be unlucky?
The bookmakers have no doubt about who will win, with the Warriors priced at odds of just 9/20. If you fancy an upset then back Hull KR at 23/10 or if you’re feeling really lucky how about the draw at 20/1? It may be closer than the odds suggest but, whilst we wish the underdogs well, we fancy it will be Wigan once again taking the glory, leaving Hull – and both its teams – stuck on zero Super League titles.