Wigan Warriors delivered a commanding performance to defeat Hull KR 40-10 at Wembley, securing their 22nd Challenge Cup triumph and first piece of silverware since 2024. The result was a repeat of the 2024 final and underlined Matt Peet's side's status as the dominant force in the competition. Young halfback Jack Farrimond was the standout, claiming the Lance Todd Trophy with a dazzling first-half brace that set the tone for a one-sided second half.
These two teams have now met in back-to-back Challenge Cup finals, and on both occasions Wigan have emerged victorious. In 2024, it was a tighter affair, but here the Warriors outclassed their opponents. The victory was Wigan's eighth trophy under coach Matt Peet, further cementing his legacy. Meanwhile, Hull KR left Wembley empty-handed for the second consecutive year, with head coach Willie Peters left to rue a disjointed performance.
The match's critical moment arrived inside the third minute, when Robins forward Dean Hadley suffered a concussion and was ruled out. His physical presence was sorely missed as Hull KR struggled to contain Wigan's powerful middle. Almost immediately, Wigan exploited the disruption: Farrimond twisted past Peta Hiku to score the opening try after a scrum move originating from a Jack Broadbent knock-on. Hadley's absence left a void that Wigan ruthlessly exploited all afternoon.
Despite Hull KR's efforts to stay in the contest, Wigan's composure and creativity kept them in control. Farrimond doubled the lead on 35 minutes, slicing through the defensive line and rounding Broadbent for a textbook finish. Right on the stroke of half-time, Hiku gave the Robins a lifeline by chasing a speculative kick and beating Noah Hodkinson to the ball before powering over despite Jai Field's tackle. Rhyse Martin's missed conversion meant the deficit stood at 10-4, but it felt like a momentum shift. However, it proved short-lived.
Wigan emerged from the break with renewed intensity and put the game to bed with a flurry of tries. Junior Nsemba rose highest to claim a kick just four minutes into the half, and Adam Keighran then crossed twice in three minutes — first from a clever Harry Smith chip, then from a looping Brad O'Neill pass. Keighran's flawless goal-kicking pushed the score to 28-4 with 25 minutes remaining, effectively ending the contest. Hull KR had no answer to Wigan's relentless yardage and ball movement.
Perhaps the most uplifting story for Wigan was the introduction of Bevan French from the bench. Sidelined for 12 weeks with a hamstring injury, the star full-back replaced Farrimond and needed only five minutes to mark his comeback with a try. He backed up a Hodkinson break and stepped through the defence to score, a sight that will delight Wigan fans and present Matt Peet with a selection conundrum. Balancing the emerging talent of Farrimond with the proven brilliance of French will be a welcome headache.
Hull KR did manage a second Hiku try with ten minutes left, but Wigan responded immediately when Zach Eckersley danced through to set up Luke Thompson. The match ended on a sour note when Sam Walters was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Bill Leyland, the hooker landing on his head. The red card was the first in a Challenge Cup final since 1993, an unwanted historical footnote for Walters. Wigan saw out the final two minutes with 12 men but the game was long won.
After the match, a dejected Peters offered no excuses. "Wigan were outstanding, we weren't today. They wanted it more and they deserved the win," he said. "I thought we were a bit flat all the way through the first half. I thought they had more energy than us. Wigan were very good today. We need to look internally - I need to look at myself as well. If we look internally, we can fix things." The honesty underlined the gulf in performance on the day.
For Wigan, this victory reasserts their primacy in the Challenge Cup, moving them further ahead in the all-time leaderboard. It also highlights the depth of talent at Peet's disposal, with Farrimond's emergence pushing French and others. Hull KR must regroup after a second Wembley heartbreak; their inability to cope without Hadley exposed a lack of resilience. With the Super League season still unfolding, both clubs will quickly shift focus, but the memory of this final will linger.
In a fitting earlier curtain-raiser, Wigan Warriors Women demolished St Helens 54-6, ensuring the club became the first to see both men's and women's teams win Challenge Cup finals on the same day at Wembley. It was a day of unrelenting success for the Cherry and Whites, symbolizing a club at the peak of its powers.
Based on reporting from Sky Sports.