Hull KR v2024 arrives in Super League 2025 to the Saints dismay!
- Super League Raw
- Mar 8
- 6 min read
St Helens 10 - 20 Hull KR
An exhilarating Betfred Super League match unfolded between St Helens and Hull KR at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Both teams had faced the same three opponents in Rounds 1 to 3, setting the stage for a showdown that would test their unbeaten records. The match carried a playoff-like intensity, showcasing formidable defences alongside impressive attacking plays that culminated in spectacular tries. Spectators were treated to a captivating display of rugby, and as a result, the Robins returned home at the top of the league table.
Let's relive the action.
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The Coaches Post Match Reaction
Paul Wellens
Willie Peters
Social Media Reaction
St Helens
I wish people would lay off the hysteria. I think people need to realise where we are. We're not going to change it around from last season overnight. Our pack was completely dominated and that's going to happen to us every big game. Our backs were never given a platform. You can't blame them for a lack of ideas behind a beaten pack.
Walmsley and Paasi are only good for ten minute bursts now. They were both very good in those bursts, but without Matty Lees we didn't hurt them enough. Batchelor and Whitley are both a complete waste of space. We only have one decent second-rower and that is Curtis Sironen.
At the end of the day, it's a wake up call for those who thought everything had changed. It is doing in the backs and I'm confident that we are moving the right way, but there's a lot of surgery needed up front.
The reality is that we aren't going to come up against many sides as good as Hull KR are. Their pack are much stronger, bigger and better than ours, and their half back partnership behind them is excellent. They are going to be the ones to push Wigan again this season.
We have to be honest and I think a top four place this season is our aim and that will be decent progress. This season is a platform building exercise with a view to being able to challenge again next year. - David Concannon St Helens Fan Facebook
I think Welsby, Paasi, Walmsley, and Percival all had good games the rest of the team looked a bit ordinary tonight. I thought maybe just maybe we was on the up again but i definitely got carried away. At the moment several sides are just better than us and Hull KR proved that tonight as one of them they didn't allow us to play. Wigan are then a cut above those teams it wouldn't surprise me if they do a full sweep again.
You can't fault the effort they put everything out there but the one man rugby everyone bangs on about we are still trying to do using the forwards and strong running three quarters to punch up and bully the opposition its the same formula we've used for six seasons but its not working anymore. Wilkin pointed this out and its nail on the head unfortunately. We'll challenge like we always do but we won't have enough in the crunch games against certain teams.
I don't think the style of rugby we play will change until certain players have retired, we bring in new methods, and different personnel. Mark Blackburn St Helens Facebook
Hull KR
Brilliant win to the mighty Robins and even the St Helens manger was saying that they were going to easily beat us well our lads went out there and proved why we are the best team from Hull and why we are the mighty Robins of East Hull COYR 🔴⚪🔴⚪🔴 Mark Bailey Hull KR Facebook
What a fantastic defence, lead by Jez Litten. Wish he could do a full game but spices things up when he comes on. Great performance by the whole team. Not sure who takes MOTM. 👏👏👏 600
Last season the question was could rovers travel to the likes of Saints Warrington and Wigan that isn't the question this season hard fought game but came away with the points. Jim Wilson Hull KR Facebook
The Final Word
St. Helens managed to hold their ground for 49 minutes, but ultimately, based on this performance, they appeared to be second best to Hull KR this season. A pressing concern is the strategy for replacing Alex Walmsley, who, at the age of 34, continues to carry the Saints' pack heroically. Delaney is showing promising progress, Paasi serves as a strong impact player, and Lees contributes as a versatile all-rounder and was clearly missed. However, it cannot be denied that the Saints were often outmuscled and outmatched in enthusiasm throughout significant portions of the game.
While the Saints have demonstrated their potential to contend for a playoff position, Sailor has struggled to maintain the brilliance he showcased during his debut against the Salford reserves. Lomax had a night to forget, and offensively, the Red V seem overly reliant on Jack Welsby. A challenging schedule lies ahead, featuring two matches against the Warrington Wolves, an away game against the Catalan Dragons, a home fixture against Wakefield Trinity, and a crucial Good Friday clash with the reigning champions at the Brick Community Stadium. For now, the evaluation of the team's performance will remain pending until the conclusion of Round 9.
Hull KR's 2024 iteration made a compelling return to the Betfred Super League 2025 last night, showcasing impressive line speed, aggression, pace, power, and pack dominance. Couple that with an exceptional kicking game suggests a promising path that could lead them back to Old Trafford this year. The entrance of Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May from the tunnel provided a significant boost, with Lewis once again demonstrating why he is the reigning Man of Steel—though he should refrain from attempting to strip the ball from his own teammates. The squad's balance and depth rank second only to the champions, Wigan, positioning Hull KR as the primary threat to the Warriors this season. While victories in March do not guarantee success, we have eagerly anticipated the Robins' resurgence, and last night, they delivered just that.
The Gladiators who took the Field
St Helens
1 Jack Welsby
2 Kyle Feldt
26 Harry Robertson
4 Mark Percival
5 Jon Bennison
6 Tristan Sailor
7 Jonny Lomax
8 Alex Walmsley
9 Daryl Clark
19 George Delaney
11 Curtis Sironen
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
Interchange
16 Matt Whitley
17 Agnatius Paasi
18 Jake Wingfield
21 Noah Stephens
Try Scorer: Sironen (31), Welsby (66)
Tale of the Boot: Percival 1/2
Hull KR
18 Jack Broadbent
2 Tom Davies
3 Peta Hiku
4 Oliver Gildart
5 Joe Burgess
6 Mikey Lewis
7 Tyrone May
8 Sauaso Sue
14 Michael McIlorum
10 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
11 Dean Hadley
12 James Batchelor
13 Elliot Minchella
Interchange
9 Jez Litten
15 Sam Luckley
16 Jai Whitbread
20 Kelepi Tanginoa
Try Scorers: Lewis (10), Davies (38), Gildart (49, 52)
Tale of the Boot: Lewis 2/4
HOW IT WENT DOWN: 0-4, 6-4, 6-10; 6-14, 6-20, 10-20
Man of the Match - The Super League Raw Trophy
3pts - Joe Burgess
2pts - Jack Broadbent
1pt - Jack Welsby
Half-time: 6 - 10
Referee: Jack Smith
Attendance: 11,438
Key Performance Indicators:
Most Tackles – Morgan Knowles - 49
Top Tackle Busts – Jack Welsby - 11
Most Carries – Jack Welsby & Tom Davies - 26
Most Metres - Jack Welsby - 26
Most Hard Metres - Alex Walmsley - 128
Most Clean Breaks – Jack Welsby, Tom Davies, Joe Burgess - 1
Most Offloads - Agnatius Paasi and Joe Burgess - 3
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