Hull KR Aim to Sustain Dominance as 2026 Season Dawns
Following a historic treble-winning campaign, Hull KR enters the 2026 season facing the challenge of maintaining its newfound position atop the Super League. The club’s unprecedented success – securing the Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield, and Super League Grand Final – marks a turning point, establishing them as one of only five teams in Super League history to claim the Grand Final title.
The Weight of Expectation
The Robins’ remarkable achievement has undeniably raised the stakes. However, history suggests replicating such dominance is far from guaranteed. Last season, Wigan, fresh off a quadruple of trophies, failed to build on that momentum and finished the year without silverware, a cautionary tale for Hull KR. Rivals St Helens, Leeds, and Leigh Leopards have all bolstered their squads in a clear attempt to dethrone the reigning champions.
Adding to the pressure, Hull KR faces a demanding early-season schedule, including a trip to Las Vegas to face the Rhinos and a highly anticipated World Club Challenge against Australia’s National Rugby League premiers, the Brisbane Broncos.
Maintaining a Winning Formula
Despite the departure of veteran players Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Micky McIlorum following their October triumph, Hull KR has strategically retained the core of its successful team. A key component of this strategy was securing Mikey Lewis, the talismanic half-back, to a significant five-year contract before the end of the 2025 season.
“You look at any successful team, whatever sport that might be and they always have a core group of players and people, which includes the staff,” a team representative stated. “When you’ve got a group where the majority have been together, you build relationships and connections and you get used to each other. Off the back of that it’s important to bring in a few new additions and new energy. The boys that have come in have been really good and added to it but the majority of us have been together now for two or three years and hopefully we can carry on.”
International Ambitions Add Another Layer
The 2026 season is further complicated by the looming Rugby League World Cup in Australia in October. This provides an additional incentive for players to perform at their peak, vying for a coveted spot on the England squad.
The potential for Hull KR players to feature prominently in the tournament is heightened by the interest of head coach Willie Peters in the vacant England boss role, following the departure of Shaun Wane. The question now becomes: how many members of Peters’ successful squad will earn a place on the plane to Australia later this year?
