Hull KR and Wigan will meet in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on Saturday for the first time in the competition's history, adding another chapter to their growing rivalry. The two sides have contested the last two Super League Grand Finals, with Wigan winning in 2024 and Hull KR triumphing last year. Both clubs are also reigning world champions, having beaten NRL opposition in the World Club Challenge.
For Wigan, the final presents an opportunity to extend their record 22 Challenge Cup titles, while Hull KR seek their third win in the competition. However, beneath the surface lies a persistent issue: the salary cap rules that limit the pay of young players. Wigan could field up to ten academy products in their 17-man squad, including 20-year-olds Noah Hodkinson and Jack Farrimond, who will earn relatively low wages due to Super League's cap exemptions for under-21s earning £30,000 or less.
Wigan chief executive Kris Radlinski highlighted the problem, noting that a player like Hodkinson could win man of the match but cannot be paid more under current rules. In contrast, the NRL's minimum salary for any squad member is approximately £70,000. Radlinski warned that the disparity could drive young talent away from the sport, with some players earning similar wages to jobs at coffee shops.
Hull KR, meanwhile, have risen from bottom of Super League six years ago to become world champions and favourites for Saturday's final. Chief executive Paul Lakin emphasised the club's hunger to build on their recent success, saying, 'Good teams do it once; great teams do it multiple times.' The final comes at a crucial time for Super League, which is negotiating a new TV deal for 2027 and seeking to showcase its product against the NRL.
