Hull KR 62-4 Wigan Warriors: Mickey Lewis scored a hat-trick as the Robins ran riot against young Warriors ahead of the Challenge Cup clash. Rugby League News

Mikey Lewis scored an 18th-minute hat-trick as Hull KR rioted to a 62-4 win over an underpowered Wigan Warriors side in a dress rehearsal for next week’s Challenge Cup final.

The two sides meet at Wembley next week in a repeat of last year’s Super League grand final, the first meeting between the two sides since the Robins defeated the Warriors at Old Trafford last year.

Ultimately, it wasn’t the showdown many expected, with Warriors boss Matt Peat deciding to rest almost all of his senior players. In fact, only three of the players in last week’s win against Leeds Rhinos played on the trip to Craven Park.

Willie Peters, meanwhile, made just three changes, one of which was implemented following Arthur Murg’s pectoral injury, reinforcing the two head coaches’ vastly different approaches ahead of next week’s battle in the capital.

A try to Hull KR’s 11 to Wigan ensured that this game will give no inkling of how the battle will be at Wembley on May 30.

David vs. Goliath takes center stage in dress rehearsals

The gulf in class was clear for all to see from the start as the competition proved to be a physical mismatch from start to finish.

Rovers were 12-0 up within six minutes, Lewis had a brace early on. His first try saw him run through a number of willing defenders before supporting a Tom Davies break for his second.

Winger Davies would score himself on 12 minutes, with Lewis completing his hat-trick on 18 minutes after another simple score.

To the credit of the young Wigan outfit, they stuck to the contest for the next 11 minutes, with many of these stars undoubtedly set for bright future careers.

But it was 42-0 at half-time as Rovers scored three tries in the final 11 minutes. Jez Litten’s darts from Jay Whitbread and Rhys Martin both opened the scoring before going over in the minutes before the break.

Wigan’s traveling support were jubilant when Nathan Lowe, one of the team’s 10 debutants, opened the scoring in the second half, capitalizing on a rare Hull KR error to break off a 60m run to put the visitors on the board.

As soon as Dean Hadley got too close to the line, normality would resume. Five minutes later, Noah Booth got into the act, diving home from Jack Broadbent’s pass before Broadbent went from creator to scorer, heading home after a pass from Lewis, who was ruled out of next week’s final with one eye.

The scoring would end on 77 minutes. Sam Luckley became Rovers’ ninth scorer of the evening, crashing over from close range against a brave Wigan outfit.

The moment began as Rovers’ dominant forward Dean Hadley limped off the field in discomfort with a suspected hamstring injury, straight down the tunnel. His fitness will be a concern for the Robins next week.

Peters: Broadbent was exceptional and will play at Wembley

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters on Sky Sports…

“I think he (Broadbent) is exceptional. We can play him at half-back, full-back, center or wing. He works, and he’s got a medal around his neck. So proud of him. It was a tough decision last week and the way he trained that week, the effort and the attitude, he was our best coach.

“We went into this game wanting to get two points. We got it. We have to look at a few guys and see where they are. Played at home and we got two points – we’re happy.

“Kyle Lawton has a rib (injury). I wanted to get a few players out but we couldn’t. Lawton we have to see him.

“It’s three days off for the players and now it’s important for us to recover. We’ll build on the week and it’s exciting that we’ve recovered.”

Pete: It was a brave act

Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet…

“Yes, they did (pass the test of resilience). Even in the first half, we had a lot to be proud of. I thought Hal KR were fantastic, very clinical in what they did.

“We learned a lot about our guys tonight, individually and collectively. But one thing we do know is that I thought it was a very gutsy performance.

“I always celebrate a bit more when it’s a young player (scoring) and you know how much it means to them and the family. It was a tough night for a lot of them. They learned what the level is like. But you have to be happy for Nathan Lowe.”

2026 Super League – Key dates and what to look out for

• Super League in Paris: Sat June 6: Catalan Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris)6.30pm UK (Sky Sports)
• Magic Weekend: July 4-5 July
• Rival Round Reverse: July 23-July 26
• Playoff Elimination: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: 3 October, Old Trafford.

Sky Sports Every game in the Super League will again be shown live this season – with two matches from each round exclusively live, the remaining five matches will be shown every week. Sky Sports+