For the first time since 2004, Super League has a champion other than Wigan Warriors, St Helens or Leeds Rhinos. Hull KR’s triumph in the 2025 Grand Final marks a watershed moment for the club, which had not won a major trophy in 40 years before completing a historic treble this season.
The Robins’ success is seen as a boost for the competition, which will expand to 14 teams in 2026. The new-look lineup is expected to be announced in the coming days, and Hull KR’s rise offers hope that other clubs can break the dominance of the traditional powerhouses.
This season has been characterised by unpredictability, with Leigh Leopards finishing third and Leeds Rhinos rising to fourth after an eighth-place finish in 2024. Wakefield Trinity, promoted from the Championship, reached the playoffs, suggesting that clubs like Toulouse and York, currently vying for promotion, can also compete.
However, Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella warned that the champions are not complacent. “We’ve got a saying at the club that your rent is due every day,” he said. “No matter what you’ve achieved up to that point, you’ve still got to work hard.” The majority of the squad is contracted long-term, with coach Willie Peters expected to lead them into a World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos on 20 February 2026.
Attention now turns to the Ashes, with England’s squad for the Test series against Australia to be announced on Monday. Grand Final star Mikey Lewis is certain to be included, and England will aim to win the series for the first time since 1970.
