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Rivals Round Round Up

19 Apr 2025

  • Nothing Hit Harder Than 2025 Rivals Round!
Rivals Round Round Up

Everything mattered more in Rivals Round – and here’s what happened over an epic Easter Weekend!

There was a remarkable feast of Rugby League in the Betfred Super League this weekend, in what was a record-breaking Rivals Round – amassing a mammoth 86,080 attendance – a new best for a six-match Super League.

A captivating 2025 Rivals Round kicked off with two West Yorkshire neighbours, Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers, battling it out at Belle Vue.

Their rivalry was renewed for the first time since 2023, with Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell coming up against his former side, as a pulsating contest unfolded on Thursday night.

It was a tale of two halves as the Tigers came out firing in the first forty and raced into a 12-0 lead, with two tries from Jason Qareqare and a superb Sam Wood effort.

Rowan Milnes was unable to convert any of the three scores, however, and Trinity fought back in the closing stages with tries from Harvey Smith and Max Jowitt – and Jowitt, who returned from injury just in time for this local derby, successfully converted both.

Intensely locked in a 12-12, nerves were shredded around the stadium with a 7,000+ bumper crowd, and with just four minutes remaining, it was Trinity’s Mason Lino who scrambled a drop-goal just over the posts to edge the hosts in front for the first time.

Lino’s one-pointer would prove to be the match-winner, after Daejarn Asi’s last-gasp attempt on the hooter floated agonisingly inches wide.

Both sides fought until the death, and not only were Trinity able to claim long-awaited spoils over the Tigers – earning their first home derby win since 2013 – but they also recorded their first Super League home win of 2025 (13-12).

Good Friday did not disappoint, with three epic encounters to enjoy back-to-back.

The Hull Derby was the first of three offerings, with a hair-raising contest taking place at a sellout MKM Stadium.

It was their second meeting in just two weeks, but the atmosphere was as electrifying as ever, with the inner-city rivals ferociously fighting it out for the top spot in the table.

There was early drama when Cade Cust was shown the first red card of the Super League season. Hull KR took advantage of Hull FC being reduced to 12-men and capitalised through Oliver Gildart, who got the first points on the board.

The Robins remained in control with further scores from Peta Hiku and Arthur Mourgue, although Jack Ashworth did respond for the Black & Whites after a committed chase and collected Aidan Sezer’s grubber.

John Cartwright’s men continued to stage a comeback in the second stanza with sensational scores from Tom Briscoe and Jordan Rapana to go within two points.

Emotions were running high heading into the final quarter, but as the hosts tired, Hull KR hit back through James Batchelor and an acrobatic match-winner from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, which would ultimately seal another Robins victory.

Good Friday bragging rights would belong to Hull KR once again as they defeated their nearest and dearest on their home patch for a second time in 2025 (14-28).

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The second match of the day saw a classic evolve between heavyweights Wigan Warriors and St Helens in front of a breath-taking capacity crowd.

It was a highly anticipated clash between the current champions and former champions at a buzzing Brick Community Stadium, with Wigan racking up a 12-2 lead at the break through a Harry Smith penalty and tries from speedsters Jai Field and Abbas Miski.

Saints’ only reply in the first forty was a George Whitby penalty – the 18-year-old featuring in his first ever derby this Rivals Round – and never once looked out of place.

Field, the leading try scorer in Super League, added another try shortly after the interval, but in true fashion, and never writing off the Saints, the Red V forged a strong second half comeback.

Lewis Murphy's fantastic finish in the corner and a powerhouse try from Agnatius Paasi dragged them back to within four points, setting up a grandstand finish.

Saints looked to be on the front foot, but Tristan Sailor effort in his own half made way for Zach Eckersley to scoop it up and send Miski over to ensure derby day delight for the Warriors (24-14).

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A West Yorkshire derby came as the third and final Good Friday offering with Leeds Rhinos providing a stunning second half spectacle against a struggling Huddersfield Giants in front of a bumper crowd at AMT Headingley.

It was a valiant effort from Luke Robinson’s men, however, who had 13 first-teamers unavailable through injury. Only a single Lachlan Miller try separated the two sides in the opening half.

But a fiery Leeds side would patiently bide their time, eventually running in another four tries to comfortably see off their opponents in Rivals Round.

It was the perfect return to Headingley for Kallum Watkins who went over on the 45th minute, before co-captain Ash Handley scored their third try.

Jake Connor then came up with a try against his former club, before Ryan Hall completed the rout.

Tom Burgess did score a late consolation for Huddersfield, but his side still remain without a win in the first eight rounds (28-6).

Rivals Round continued on Saturday with a feisty affair between Leigh Leopards and Warrington Wolves.

Arguably a dress rehearsal for their Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final next month, both sides rose to the occasion – with another game of two halves.

The Leopards dominated until the hour mark as Edwin Ipape, Ethan O'Neill and Frankie Halton were all on the scoresheet and appeared to have put the home side out of sight.

But a fourth fightback across Rivals Round would occur in scintillating fashion, and suddenly, there was a swing in momentum by Sam Burgess’ men.

The Wolves rallied as Toby King and Matty Ashton went over for tries to reduce the deficit to just four points, but Leigh somehow held out to record a win.

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A showdown between Catalans Dragons and Salford Red Devils in the south of France concluded this year's Rivals Round.

Tommy Makinson scored a hat-trick for the Dragons as the hosts enjoyed a convincing 38-10 victory at Stade Gilbert Brutus - making it five out six home wins in Rivals Round.

The Red Devils conceded three tries in the opening quarter, and as well as Makinson, it was Tariq Sims, Julian Bousquet, Chris Satae and Matthieu Laguerre who also crossed the whitewash on Saturday evening.

A spirited Salford ensured they wouldn't go home scoreless, however, as Jonny Vaughan scored arguably what was one of the tries of the round, and Tiaki Chan went over in the last ten minutes.

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