Grand Final 2024 Preview

Who is ready to experience the biggest night in Rugby League? The biggest crowd since 2017 is expected and a blockbuster clash awaits!

Old Trafford is on the horizon for Wigan Warriors and Hull KR. The top two teams in Betfred Super League are just 80 minutes away from Grand Final glory, as the season comes to its conclusion.

Who's ready for the @Betfred #SuperLeague Grand Final?! ?@WiganWarriorsRL ? @hullkrofficial live next Saturday at 6pm on @SkySports ?

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 5, 2024

The Robins are on the cusp of history. They have the chance to win their first ever Grand Final and in doing so, would become only the fifth club to achieve that feat in the Super League era - joining the big four of Wigan, St Helens, Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos.

Willie Peters’ men will be competing in their first ever Super League Grand Final, becoming the tenth different team to appear at this stage and the first new one since Catalans Dragons in 2021. The last team to win their first ever Super League Grand Final was St Helens’ in 1999.

For the Warriors - a club steeped in history - they have an opportunity to add another piece of silverware to their mightily impressive trophy cabinet – and become the first club to claim the quadruple in the modern era. This feat has only been achieved five times before by Hunslet in 1908, Huddersfield in 1915, Swinton in 1928, St Helens in 1966 and Wigan in 1994. 

This will be the Cherry and Whites’ 13th Grand Final appearance, and they are looking to seal back-to-back titles for the first time in their Super League history.

Saturday will mark the first time these two sides have met in the Grand Final. The Warriors are no strangers to Old Trafford, winning six Grand Finals since 1998.

Hull KR, who were heartbreakingly relegated from Super League in 2016, before securing their return to the top tier the following year, have had a remarkable rebuild and turnaround ever since. They haven’t won a major trophy since the 1980s, but now find themselves competing at the very top.

And they will now have the chance to walk out at the Theatre of Dreams, which will no doubt be a breathtaking moment for the club on Saturday. But it is absolutely deserved.

Wigan and Hull KR have been the teams to beat in 2024, with the best attack in the league. It has been an exciting neck and neck battle for top spot all year, with the Warriors eventually finishing two league points in front.

This year alone, the top two have played each other on three separate occasions.

The Robins were victorious against their opponents back in Round 9, with an emphatic 26-10 win on home turf. Since this fixture, the Warriors have enacted revenge with two significant victories.

First, a dominant 6-38 display in the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Final, which saw them go on to lift their 21st Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley.

Then, who could forget the scintillating encounter between the two sides at The Brick Community Stadium, where Wigan came from behind to beat Hull KR 24-20, which ultimately resulted in them going on to lift the League Leaders’ Shield.

Both teams have can play an attractive brand of rugby league and have plenty of stars amongst their teams who can bring the experience on the night.

The Warriors have 17 players in their side who have played on Super League's big stage, while the Robins have seven, but there are still bound to be nerves and all the emotions even for the best of the best, as well as for any debutants.

Wigan come into this game on the back of a dominant semi-final victory against Leigh Leopards. In fact, the Warriors have won each of their last six Super League matches by an average margin of 21 points, keeping their opponents scoreless in three of those games.

Making the #GrandFinal - it's what they do ?@WiganWarriorsRL fans, who is joining us at Old Trafford next Saturday? ? #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/GXpuRCH0ob

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 5, 2024

Also in electric form, Hull KR have won 10 of their last 11 Super League matches, with their only loss over that period coming against Wigan Warriors.

Willie Peters’ men endured a brutal battle against Warrington Wolves in their semi-final tie, in what was a game of astounding defence and resilience.

How are you feeling @hullkrofficial fans? ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/sRTnDQ0OMh

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 4, 2024

But it all comes down to what happens on Saturday night...will Wigan Warriors retain their Champions status, or will we finally see a new name engraved on the trophy?

Grand Final Teams:

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Luke Thompson, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley, Tom Forber, Jack Farrimond.

Hull KR: Peta Hiku, Niall Evalds, Tom Opacic, Ryan Hall, Mikey Lewis, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, George King, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Matt Parcell, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Matty Storton, Kelepi Tanginoa, Tyrone May, Joe Burgess, Jack Broadbent, Jack Brown, Danny Richardson.

Tickets for the Betfred Super League Grand Final are on sale now, but hurry as tickets are selling fast!

Will you be joining us on Saturday 12 October? Tickets start at just £30 for adults, and £15 for juniors - secure your place today at the biggest night in Rugby League!

The Betfred Super League Grand Final will also be shown live and exclusively on Sky Sports (K.O. 6pm).