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2025 Season Preview: Hull KR

3 Feb 2025

Over on the East side of Hull, the Robins just keep growing and growing and lit up the Betfred Super League last year.

2024 was a historic campaign for the club, with Willie Peters’ men securing their first ever top two finish, before going on to contest in their maiden Grand Final.

It certainly represented another season of progress for the side but Hull KR's long wait for major silverware continued following two painful defeats to the all-conquering and current Champions Wigan Warriors.

A narrow 24-20 defeat away at the Warriors ultimately decided the final destination of the League Leaders’ Shield, while their opponents proved to be too strong under the lights at Old Trafford.

Nevertheless, it has been an upward curve for the Robins, who have truly established themselves as genuine Super League contenders, with a sea of Red and White Army supporters right behind them.

Their frightening fortress, Sewell Group Craven Park, also has everybody sitting up and taking note, as well as their array of talent within their team, which of course, includes mercurial Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis.

For 2025, the Robins must find that extra bit of magic to win those big games, but they are knocking on the door and should be confident of reaching at least one final again this year.

Can the Robins be excited for what’s around the corner?

What a journey?

We can’t wait to be with you all again for the '25 season??#UpTheRobins??? pic.twitter.com/zz1dqCbC89
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) December 31, 2024

Ins & Outs

Ins: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Michael McIlorum (Catalans), Tom Davies (Catalans), Eribe Doro (Bradford), Bill Leyland (London), Danny Richardson (Castleford), Rhyse Martin (Leeds), Lee Kershaw (London), Leon Ruan (successful trial), Noah Booth (Wakefield Trinity)

New faces in Red and White ??#UpTheRobins ??? pic.twitter.com/SSAIQFZofu
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) December 27, 2024

Outs: Ryan Hall, Corey Hall, Louis Senior, Jordan Abdull, Matt Parcell, Reiss Butterworth, Matty Storton, Tom Opacic, George King, Harvey Moore, Neil Tchamambe

Ones to watch

Hull KR look to be in a very strong position heading into Round 1 – with both their eye-catching signings and existing quality within the team. Not only do they have the depth of a superbly skilled spine with pace and flair, they also have immense power and size options in their pack and could cause Peters plenty of selection headaches.

Obviously, magic Mikey Lewis is their key man along with skipper Elliott Minchella, who is a crucial leader for the Robins side - but it will be the collective efforts from everybody that will enable them to replicate and build on last year's success.

The Robins have captured the services of three-time NRL Premiership winner Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - arguably one of the biggest signatures across Super League for 2025.

JWH in Red and White ?‍??

#UpTheRobins ??? pic.twitter.com/a1d2fcARRj
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) November 14, 2024

JWH is a renowned prop forward, having captured ten major honours in his illustrious 16-year NRL career with Sydney Roosters. A proven leader at the highest level, JWH is famed for his imposing presence in the pack and should add further steel to the Robins' middle as they look to achieve success and silverware.

It will also be interesting to see how former Leeds man Rhyse Martin slots into the Robins side as he makes the trip across the M62. Martin starred for the Rhinos in his six seasons there – popular for his attacking prowess with the ball in hand and expertise at the tee.

Rhyseee ?#UpTheRobins??? pic.twitter.com/LsdfhkP0S8
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) December 17, 2024

Next generation

Bill Leyland was a standout performer for London Broncos in their 2023 – the Betfred Championship season that led to their shocking Super League promotion. The fast-paced hooker was a joy to watch, making 32 appearances and scored 13 tries in total, whilst also snapping up the Championship’s Young Player of the Year Award of the same year.

He sadly missed the entirety of the 2024 season due to an ACL injury but is now back in pre-season training and will be ready to jump at his first Super League opportunity.

Defining dates

Craven Park is set to be rocking in Round 1 as Hull KR kick off against Castleford Tigers in their first home game. With a sell out on the cards, we can't wait to see those scenes once again!

Tickets for our Round 1 clash against Castleford Tigers are now on general sale! ??

Get tickets ? https://t.co/6mY6tBBnAY #UpTheRobins ??? pic.twitter.com/2iHkOwUIuG
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) January 13, 2025

The Robins embarked on an astounding 13-game winning streak from June to August which spurred them on in the race for the League Leaders’ Shield - can they produce another rampant run?

Hull KR did endure a slightly shaky start on the road last year, which got plenty speculating they could only perform on home soil. But in standard KR fashion, they went on to prove any doubters wrong, with a series of strong performances away from Craven Park.

All eyes will immediately turn to their hotly anticipated Grand Final rematch with the Warriors in Round 7, which is then followed by a trip to the MKM Stadium for the classic Hull Derby.

The Robins enjoyed a convincingly clean sweep of derby wins against their Black & White enemies in 2024 and will look to assert their dominance in the city once more.

All smiles here ?#UpTheRobins??? pic.twitter.com/rJao8CcDSJ
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) January 3, 2025

Squad list

1 Niall Evalds, 2 Tom Davies, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Oliver Gildart, 5 Joe Burgess, 6 Mikey Lewis, 7 Tyrone May, 8 Sauaso Sue, 9 Jez Litten, 10 Jared Warea-Hargreaves, 11 Dean Hadley, 12 James Batchelor, 13 Elliot Minchella, 14 Michael McIlorum, 15 Sam Luckley, 16 Jai Whitbread, 17 Rhyse Martin, 18 Jack Broadbent, 19 Danny Richardson, 20 Kelepi Tanginoa, 21 Jack Brown, 22 Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 23 Lee Kershaw, 24 Eribe Doro, 25 Bill Leyland, 26 AJ Wallace, 27 Leon Ruan, 28 Zach Fishwick, 29 Louix Gorman, 30 Leo Tennison, 31 Lennie Ellis, 32 Connor Barley, 33 Harvey Horne, 34 Neil Tchamambe