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2024 Season Review: Hull KR

10 Nov 2024

Hull KR continued their upward curve by reaching their maiden Betfred Super League Grand Final in 2024.

Those full time scenes ?

This is what it means to make the #GrandFinal for @hullkrofficial ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/PEX8tf8S7R
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 4, 2024

An emerging force last year, the 2024 season has confirmed Hull KR as genuine Betfred Super League contenders.

They took to the Old Trafford pitch for the first time in a top flight Grand Final, having been pipped to top spot by Wigan Warriors after five weeks of leading the pack during August.

A narrow 24-20 defeat at the Warriors effectively decided the destination of the League Leaders’ Shield, but after that game the Robins’ impressive coach Willie Peters was quick to express his hope that they would get another crack at the same opponents before the end of the year.

And they certainly did - contesting Wigan all the way in the Grand Final, where they had hoped to become top flight champions for the first time since Roger Millward’s class of 1984/85. But it wasn’t to be this year, however, with the Robins falling agonisingly short as the current Champions proved to be too strong.

The Robins now have their own modern day mercurial leader at half-back in Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Mikey Lewis, who has been outstanding for his side throughout, topping the assists, linebreaks and tries to go alongside his crucial goal kicking.

Sealed with a kiss ?

Another magic performance from Mikey Lewis ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/Shv3UZDeT7
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 14, 2024

Lewis has forged a devastating partnership with Tyrone May following his move from Catalans, helping to launch a backline in which Ryan Hall, Joe Burgess and Peta Hiku have all reached double figures for tries.

First half hat-trick complete ?@JoeBurgess and @HullKROfficial are running rampant ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/XTZFz9by9F
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 24, 2024

The latter made an early season switch from full-back to centre - proof of Peters’ willingness to adapt - which allowed Niall Evalds to become a key member of the team.

The pack has been built on industry and consistency, epitomised in skipper Elliot Minchella and fellow back rowers Dean Hadley and James Batchelor.

Up front, Sauaso Sue and Jai Whitbread have been among those to lay the platform for dynamic hooking duo Jez Litten and Matt Parcell to flourish, in what has been a largely settled side for much of the campaign.

The Robins have only been out of the top six for one week all year, after consecutive early defeats to Salford and Warrington, while the one major disappointment to date would bed be a 38-6 Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Wigan in which they never got going.

But since that game Peters’ side have lost just twice - a golden point defeat to Catalans and that gripping setback at Wigan in early September, making it 15 wins from their last 17 matches.

In Australian Peters they have found a shrewd and popular figurehead whose impact at the club since his arrival in late 2022 has been clear to see.

To paraphrase the 1988 Erasure hit record that the Hull KR faithful – who have taken home crowds to an all-time average high this year at a rocking Sewell Group Craven Park - boom out on a regular basis, the club has certainly gained more than a little respect.

“Now I can reflect on how far this club has come from well before my time,” said Peters, having taken charge just after the side finished eighth.

“I’m really proud of all the players and staff because it’s been a lot of hard work to get to the Grand Final.”

Key Man:

Dean Hadley was the Robins’ top tackler throughout 2024 and racked up a remarkable 59 against Warrington Wolves in their Super League Semi-Final, typifying his efforts in the pack all season.

One to watch in 2025:

Bill Leyland, the 21-year-old hooker, has missed all of this season through injury but is an exciting talent and links up with the Robins from London Broncos.

Season Highlight:

There’s been plenty of unforgettable moments in what has been a historic 2024 campaign for the Robins, but their backs-to-the-wall Play-Off win over the Wolves is arguably one of the most memorable - sealing the Robins’ first ever Grand Final place.