Hull KR hope to hunt down Wire in play-off showdown

Head coach Willie Peters wants Hull KR to channel the hunter mentality that took them to the Super League title last season, as the defence of their crown rests on Saturday's play-off eliminator at Warrington.

The Robins' treble success has put a big target on them for their Super League rivals in 2026, yet they still came within 80 minutes of retaining the Challenge Cup before losing to Wigan at Wembley.

In a gruelling year in which Rovers not only won the World Club Challenge but have been in action every week of the campaign, Peters' side finished sixth meaning they have to travel in the play-offs - and will need to win three games to finish as champions again.

"We're still in a position to be able to challenge, and I think now we need to be the hunters and go after it," Peters told BBC Sport.

"There's no second chance and we need to make sure that we have that same hunger and desire as what we had previously to be able to get to the next step, which is for us to be playing Wigan if we get through Warrington.

"But, the most important game for us at the moment is getting through by beating Warrington first."

Warrington have not caught the imagination in the same way as Wigan and Leeds above them, despite finishing third and level on points with the Rhinos.

Head coach Sam Burgess is untroubled by such chatter, stressing the confidence within his squad, and will take a relatively light touch approach in his messaging this week.

The Wire have beaten KR twice in the Super League, avenging a stinging Challenge Cup semi-final loss earlier in the year, and have looked noticeably more potent since the return of skipper George Williams from a neck and shoulder issue at the back end.

"Sometimes less is more this time of year and they know the way we want to play," Burgess told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We've played Hull KR three times this year so they know a little bit about them already, so you don't over-coach them.

"Whenever you come up against the champions, you want to put your best foot forward and remind ourselves they are the reigning champions, so they're not going to come here and give it up.

"We're looking forward to welcoming them to our place and hopefully we get a great contest."

Hull KR's success under Peters has been remarkable, first ending a 40-year wait for silverware with the Challenge Cup and then adding three more trophies including the Super League title to the cabinet.

Such achievement has attracted suitors, and as such Peters has been headhunted to join the newly-created National Rugby League franchise PNG Chiefs, while the squad will also change with players set to exit.

Some clubs use those departures as a narrative, but Peters is taking the emotion out of it for himself.

"You want to make the most of the now and for us it's for people like Joe Burgess [who is leaving] and Oliver Gildart who are best of mates," Peters said.

"They've got an opportunity to play together for another three times, or just once or twice - for those guys who are close they clearly want it to be three times.

"For me sitting in the coaches' box, I want to go three more times."

There will also be a different look to the Warrington squad in 2027, notably in the departures of Toby King and Joe Philbin, whose association goes right back to the junior ranks.

Williams is also moving back to the NRL to join the Dolphins, as Burgess prepares to welcome a brand new intake including Leeds' free-scoring stand-off Brodie Croft in their place.

For Ben Currie, one of the league's longest serving clubmen, it will take some getting used to and he is keen to savour the last few chances to play with some long-time friends.

"George [Williams] I've known since a kid playing against him while some of them like Toby and Joe have been at Warrington for 14 years," Currie told BBC Sport.

"Come next year it will be a real shock and a real change not to have them around the place as two big characters.

"There's Sam Powell retiring, James Bentley's been here for 12 months but he's been fantastic for us and Jordy Crowther as well.

"So we've all got our fairytale endings but nothing's ever just given to you. We've worked all year to get an opportunity as we keep saying and hopefully we'll get an opportunity on Saturday."