Everything went Wigan’s way against “dominant” Hull KR, says ex-England player

It was a tough day at the office for Hull KR as they were beaten by Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup semi-finals in Doncaster.

The Robins, who were hoping to repeat their 11-10 triumph over the Warriors in last year’s competition, were humiliated this time losing 38-6.

It was a superb display from Matt Peet’s Wigan, who never looked troubled in the game, scoring seven tries on their way to securing a place at Wembley Stadium and avenging defeat at this stage last season.

There was no denying the gulf between the teams at full-time with the Warriors showing why they are the Super League and World Club champions as they looked to keep the game going early and never let up.

Pinkney claims everything went Wigan’s way

Nick Pinkney. Credit: Imago Images

Despite Wigan showing they are a class above, former England and Hull KR player Nick Pinkney believed the game was not a reflection of the ability of both teams.

Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside after the game, Pinkney, who was part of the Sheffield Eagles side that beat Wigan in 1998, believes his hometown club were unhappy that “it all went out” for the Warriors.

“You can get to the end of a game and it can look like one team has been completely dominant,” Pinkney said. “However, you can bring it back to such small margins in a game that it can make it look like one team was a lot better than the other team.

“You can count a lot of those in this game, and I think that’s why Willie Peters wasn’t too upset (about the result).

“Decisions and key elements in a game can make such a difference to the outcome, the way the outcome looks and the score of a game.

“I still don’t think there are nearly that many points between these two teams. It’s just one of those results today where Rovers weren’t as clinical as they were and weren’t strong defensively.

“Wigan were the opposite. But everything Wigan did revealed, there were always players there and it always seemed to bounce perfectly into their arms. It’s just stuff like that that makes a game explode.

“That’s how it was today, so I’m not going to get too down. It’s a disappointing result but I think Rovers will bounce back from it.”

Hull KR below par in crushing defeat

Credit: Imago Images

Pinkney went on to admit that the result was also down to Hull KR being well below their best, believing they will bounce back from the setback in the rest of the Super League season.

“There is a lot in that game that Rovers will look at and they will know they can come back. It’s just a game,” Pinkney added.

“There was a feeling that no matter what Hull KR did today, it just wasn’t going to be, but like I said, everything Wigan did seemed to come off.

“I actually thought Rovers had big periods of dominance in that game, especially in terms of field position, but nothing just came from them.

“That’s because Wigan’s defense was outstanding, but Hull KR’s attack was also sluggish and not where it usually is.”