Hull KR confirm their 'Super League Giant' status as Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors adds them to short list of winners | Rugby League News

Every once in a while, a disruptor comes along and changes the status quo. They challenge the big guys – no, they become one of the big guys. Welcome to the “Super League Giant Club”, Hull KR.

Few sports can say that four teams have dominated the competition in quite the same way as the Super League. Add to that the fact that one of the Bradford Bulls four hasn't played in the top flight for 11 years.

Twenty-seven grand finals had passed with these four names taking turns for the trophy. Leeds enjoyed their period of sustained success, as did St Helens. There hadn't been a new name on the trophy for 21 years.

The list was as follows: Wigan Warriors, St Helens, St Helens, Bradford Bulls, St Helens, Bradford, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford, St Helens, Leeds, Leeds, Leeds, Wigan, Leeds, Leeds, Wigan, St Helens, Leeds, Wigan, Leeds, Wigan, St Helens, St Helens, St Helens, St Helens, Wigan, Wigan.

Then, in the 28th Super League Grand Final, something happened. There has been a change, there has been a change, and the competition will never be the same.

Hull KR became the fifth name on this list.

Ruining Wigan's quest to win a third consecutive grand final, Hull KR wrote their own treble story.

They had won the League Leaders' Shield and the Challenge Cup. They finished first. And yet Wigan went into the competition as favourites.

Experience pays, everyone said. Well, Hull KR tore up that script and more in a 24-6 victory that changed the course of their club's history.

Wigan were the heavyweights and Hull KR were the challengers to their belt. They took it in style.

What's always intriguing about a rematch? There is always one who is trying to assert his continued dominance and another who has a lot to prove.

The Robins proved their point.

With their hat-trick, they join the upper echelons of the Super League. Bradford Bulls did it in 2003. St Helens did it in 2006. Leeds Rhinos did it in 2015. Wigan Warriors did it in 2024. Now Hull KR have done it in 2025.

The question of whether they can do it on the biggest stages is no longer asked. They defeated a giant and then became a giant in the process.

It is a club which has experienced the most agonizing heartbreak. Beaten by a Salford drop-goal in 2016 and relegated to the Championship, the Robins rebuilt, came back stronger and made an unforgettable name for themselves.

“There have been a lot of dips. But three times this year after 40 years of nothing,” said their owner Neil Hudgell.

“To write real history and be a new name on the trophy is a tribute to Willie [Peters] and the group.

“I’m not a great prognosticator, I’m always wrong, but I felt it was time to figure it out.

“I'm really delighted and proud. For Mikey Lewis, [Elliot] Minchella. These boys took a stick, but answered. »

Many clubs have tried before them and failed. Hull FC tried. Warrington Wolves tried. The Castleford Tigers tried. The Salford Red Devils tried. The Catalan Dragons tried. They all fell at the last hurdle.

Now the question for Hull KR is not whether they are one of the big guys, but rather how big they want to get.

They must say “and the new one”. It’s now about being a team that can stand “and still.”