Megan Wellens
Sports Journalist @MegWellensX
Warrington 35-12 Hull KR: Matty Ashton hat-trick helps Wolves set up Super League semi-final vs Leeds as Peta Hiku sees red
Warrington into semis for the first time since 2024; loss brings an end to Willie Peters' reign; Peta Hiku was shown a red card for punch on George Williams; the Super League semi-finals take place on Friday September 25 and Saturday September 26, live on Sky Sports
Last Updated: 19/09/26 8:11pm
Warrington Wolves set up a Super League semi-final with Leeds Rhinos after a 35-12 victory over reigning champions Hull KR in their eliminator showdown at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
It marks Warrington's first semi-final since 2024 after they missed out on the play-offs in 2025.
It also means Willie Peters' tenure as Robins head coach is now over after his reign which featured the history-making season in 2025 in which he won the Super League for the club for the first time.
The flashpoint of the game came early in the second half when Peta Hiku saw red for a punch on George Williams and the player advantage for Warrington eventually became too much for Hull KR to contend with.
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Warrington had a narrow 12-6 lead at half-time thanks to a converted Ben Currie try, Ewan Irwin penalty and Matty Ashton's score. Hull KR hit back through a Joe Burgess wonder-try that was started by Arthur Mourgue to get themselves in the game.
After Hiku's red card, Ashton scored twice more to complete his hat-trick with Albert Hopoate also crossing the whitewash.
Hull KR had gone over through Dean Hadley but it ended up merely a consolation at the full-time whistle, Williams rubbing salt in the wound with a late drop goal and Toby King finishing things off with a try.
Warrington will head to play Leeds on Friday September 25, with kick-off at 8pm live on Sky Sports as they compete for a spot in the Grand Final. Wigan Warriors will then host Wakefield Trinity on Saturday September 26, with kick-off at 5.30pm on Sky Sports, as they bid to complete the final two.
Warrington a step closer to Grand Final as Peters era comes to close
After an early repeat set, it was not long until some eyes-up rugby saw Warrington get the first points on the board. Williams had some incredible vision to send the grubber kick through and while Burgess collected it, he half fumbled, which allowed Currie to collect and go in under the sticks.
Irwin converted and the home team were quickly 6-0 up, much to the delight of a packed-out Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Ill-discipline was costing the Robins and, once again, Warrington turned that into points. Irwin slotted over the penalty for offside and an eight-point lead was in place within 15 minutes.
Tries were then denied for both sides in corner-flying finishes from Ashton and Burgess that looked sublime, but neither winger could get the ball down before being bulldozed into touch.
With four minutes left of the half, the Robins scored a sensational full-length effort started off by a pass from Jack Broadbent to Mourgue who used his step and raced 70 metres before finding Burgess who did the rest. Mourgue converted and there were just two points in it.
That closeness did not last for long, as on the stroke of half-time, Kelepi Tanginoa broke through and found Ashton who used his pace to dive in for his 100th Super League try. Irwin's conversion attempt hit the post, so Warrington walked in with a 12-6 lead after 40 minutes of enthralling rugby league.
The key moment of the game came three minutes into the second half when a suspected punch from Hiku on Williams resulted in a red card. There was not much force in it but he hit the Warrington captain's face and left the Robins with 12 for the remainder.
Warrington made sure to immediately capitalise from it as they sent it out wide for Ashton to finish off his second try. It looked to be a forward pass but was given and so the Wolves were 16-6 up with 35 minutes remaining.
Despite being a player down, Hull KR would not give up and got their reward in the 53rd minute when a breakaway from Burgess was eventually finished by Hadley barrelling over from close range. Mourgue converted to bring the score to 16-12 and we had a game on our hands.
The tension had reached a new level inside Warrington's home but it was alleviated with just a quarter to go. James Bentley came up with a massive interception and Ashton followed to pick up from the play the ball and race away for his hat-trick.
That felt like the crucial score and Warrington then took control as Hopoate went in with a brilliant dive at the corner and Irwin came through clutch for a 16-point lead.
Just to rub salt in the wound, Williams sent over the one-pointer and, with a minute on the clock, King walked through and Irwin wrapped up the 35-12 victory and a spot in the semi-finals.
In the away end, there was extended applause for outgoing head coach Peters and the dynasty he has built. Burgess, meanwhile, celebrated on the pitch with his family as he continues his quest to do something just as monumental for Warrington.
Peters: Discipline cost us | Burgess: We should have closed out game earlier
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters, speaking to Sky Sports:
"Discipline has cost us a lot this year, and unfortunately it did again tonight, but I can't fault the players. I'm really proud of them. They kept fighting until the end.
"Warrington played really well and have been a very good team all year. I wish them all the best, but I'm really, really proud of this group and what they've achieved over the last four years. We've made a lot of beautiful memories.
"When you're down to 12 men it makes things difficult, but we still put ourselves in the game. We scored at the other end, went two points ahead and then, against the run of play, they scored.
"Fatigue always creeps in and it did towards the back end of the game. Peta has been great for us for three years. What he did was probably the wrong thing, but he's been outstanding for me throughout that time."
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess, speaking to Sky Sports:
"I'm proud of the group. It was a strange game, but we're pleased to come through and get another week together, which is what we came for. In the first half we felt really dominant and were disappointed with the scoreline.
"We left two or three tries out there and probably a couple more in the second half. We've just got to understand how important precision is because, over the course of a game, those moments add up. We could have finished the game much earlier."
Super League play-offs results and schedule
Eliminators
Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity 26-16 Leigh Leopards
Saturday September 19, Warrington Wolves 35-12 Hull KR
Semi-finals
Semi-Final 1 - Friday September 25, Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves, 8pm KO on Sky Sports
Semi-Final 2 - Saturday 26 September, Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity, 5.30pm KO on Sky Sports
The Super League play-offs are under way, live on Sky Sports, and continues all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.
