2024 Super League Grand Final preview

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Wigan Warriors v Hull KR Saturday 6:00pm at Old Trafford, Manchester

The Super League season will conclude with a titanic game between first and second at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

Wigan Warriors are looking to complete the set after securing back-to-back League Leader's Shields alongside the World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup.

The Warriors have built a strong squad highlighted by Australians Jai Field and Bevan French in key positions alongside young half Harry Smith. Added to that is the evergreen Liam Marshall and Patrick Mago up front.

They were a consistent force across the regular season and edged out Warrington and Hull KR for the shield by two points. The Warriors have strike power all across the park and it will be a big effort to wrestle the title away.

Coach Matt Peet has won silverware in all three seasons in charge of the Warriors and he hopes that this trend will continue on Saturday night. The Warriors showed their willingness to defend their way to a win on Saturday by keeping the Leopards to nil.

Hull KR continue a meteoric rise which saw them get close in 2023 before they soared high this season and almost snatched the League Leaders Shield. Now, they hope to deliver a first title since 1985.

The Robins have been the story of the 2024 season and this would be a fitting finale to a campaign which their fans will remember for a long time.

Mikey Lewis was named the Man of the Steel midweek, and he will be the primary option for the Robins in attack. Ryan Hall is just a professional try scorer and Peta Hiku is always dangerous close to the line.

Hull KR has built their season on defense and they will need a huge effort to hold out one of the high powered attacks in Super League. They have high hopes to win it and stamp their mark on the season.

It has been a magnificent Super League season, and it is a fitting end to see first take on second to see who realizes their glory at the Theatre of Dreams.

Last meeting: Round 25 2024 - Warriors 24 Hull KR 20

Who to watch: The Warriors have a star-studded side but the obvious highlight is Bevan French. He can create a four-pointe from nothing shown by his semi-final try for himself and he will be the fulcrum for the Warriors attack.

Upfront, Junior Nsemba has had a breakout season for the Warriors. The young forward has seven tries this season and has come through the ranks. He was a powerful force in the semi win and his offloads were vital to the win.

It might be a cop out but Mikey Lewis was awarded the Man of Steel this week and the Hull KR halfback has been a threat with both his hands and feet. For the Robins, the forward to watch will be Elliott Minchella who returns after a suspension to add some oomph to the Hull KR forward pack which will be needed on Saturday.

The favourite: Wigan should go into the game as favourites to complete the quadruple and end the season with all the gold. 

My tip: I'm backing an upset here. Hull KR by 2.

21-man squads

1. Jai Field 2. Abbas Miski 3. Adam Keighran 4. Jake Wardle 5. Liam Marshall 6. Bevan French 7. Harry Smith 8. Ethan Havard 10. Liam Byrne 12. Liam Farrell 13. Kaide Ellis 15. Patrick Mago 16. Luke Thompson 17. Kruise Leeming 19. Tyler Dupree 20. Harvie Hill 21. Junior Nsemba 22. Sam Walters 26. Zach Eckersley 27. Tom Forber 30. Jack Farrimond

1. Peta Hiku 2. Niall Evalds 3. Tom Opacic 5. Ryan Hall 7. Mikey Lewis 8. Sauaso Sue 9. Jez Litten 10. George King 11. Dean Hadley 12. James Batchelor 13. Elliot Minchella 14. Matt Parcell 15. Sam Luckley 16. Jai Whitbread 17. Matty Storton 20. Kelepi Tanginoa 27. Tyrone May 35. Joe Burgess 36. Jack Broadbent 37. Jack Brown 38. Danny Richardson

Referee: Chris Kendall
Sideline Officials: Jonathan Roberts, Richard Thompson
Video Referee: Liam Moore