Play-Offs: Lewis is still living the dream

Mikey Lewis has delivered more magic in 2025, and once again, Hull KR find themselves just 80 minutes from a second successive Betfred Super League Grand Final.

We caught up with Lewis ahead of the semi-finals last year, and it’s fair to say the Robins number 6 is still very much living the dream.

In fact, his side have gone one step better in 2025 – winning both the Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield, and are now in with a strong shout of completing the treble.

Who’d have thought it? Willie Peters’ men did.

They may have left it late on both occasions – scoring a late match-winner at Wembley, as well as waiting until the later stages of the second half to blow Warrington Wolves away in Round 27 and pip top-two rivals Wigan Warriors for the Shield.

But that's been the beauty of it. They managed to find a way.

It’s been an unbelievable season – entertaining, record-breaking, but most importantly, unfinished – and Lewis has been at the heart of it all.

And on the back of a wonderful year, Lewis has kept a hold of his place in the Super League Dream Team and is aiming to become only the second player to retain the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Award, following his deserved nomination last week.

“It’s a massive honour to be a part of that squad again,” Lewis commented on his inclusion in the Dream Team.

“For myself, to see where I’m at – I wanted to keep consistent. Last year was a massive breakout being Man of Steel and a part of the Dream Team, and I just wanted to keep working hard from that point on.”

It’s been another season full of magical Mikey Lewis moments, and we've really seen him mature, grow and build on his brilliant game.

Reflecting on the 2025 season, Lewis said:

“This year has been fantastic for us, obviously picking up our first trophy in 40 years with the Challenge Cup in June – and now we’ve got two trophies with the League Leaders’ Shield as well.

“Picking up that Shield was a huge honour, but we’ve got to keep working hard.

“We were really desperate to win some silverware after having our taste in the Grand Final last year and getting beat.

“We’ve won two out of the three at the moment – it’s been really hard work, and now we’re fully focused on the Semi-Finals and hopefully we can get the job done.

“Our season isn’t finished just yet.”

Other than sheer belief, desire and determination, what has been the secret to Lewis’ sustained success?

“Having the right people around me on and off the field has massively helped,” the 24-year-old Robin admitted.

“You’ve also got to make sure that the little one percenters are good away from the field – from your diet, to your training, to the recovery to make sure that I’m playing as many games as possible and can be on the field.

“I like to do my talking on the field.”

It would be a lengthy highlights reel for Hull KR’s historic 2025 season, but for Lewis, it is never lost on him:

“I’m playing with my best mates every game, what more could you want? I get to see them every day, six or seven days a week and then you’re going into battle together.

“I’m just having fun. That’s the best moment. I’m living the dream. I’m playing rugby league and that’s all I ever wanted to do since being a young kid.

“It’s been a special honour being to lift the trophies this year – there are too many highlights to name. All of it, the whole season.”

Flashback to Round 27 and the celebrations at Sewell Group Craven Park were sensational at full-time.

Passion, pride and emotion was clear for all to see as the Robins were rewarded for their consistency and endurance all year.

Putting a post-match spectacle, they lifted their first ever League Leaders’ Shield in front of their beloved Red & White Army.

With opinions often circulating on the significance of the Shield and where it ranks with other silverware, Lewis was quick to jump to its defence, insisiting it does deserve the relevant recognition, and holds its own value:

“We’ve been the most consistent team this year – whoever is the most consistent team in the league gets to lift it and we've topped the table since Round 4.

“It’s big within its own right, and I think it needs have more of a doing. The NRL do it really good over there with their Premierships.

“It’s a massive privilege to be a part of that squad this year, and not many teams get to do lift it. I feel like it needs to be put on more of a show and spoken more about.

“Obviously, everyone speaks about the Grand Final, which is the biggest prize at the end, but I think the League Leaders’ Shield comes close.

“You have to win week in and week out to get that.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s semi-final, Lewis is raring to go.

After a bye week for finishing first, the league leaders finally return to action this weekend, and will welcome St Helens to their formidable fortress.

They are a side who Lewis loves to score a try against!

He's back ?

Mikey Lewis marks his return to the @hullkrofficial side with a try ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/X2UeF2Uk5h

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 7, 2025

However, he recognises the Red V will be on a huge high following their dramatic victory over Leeds Rhinos in the Eliminators, and cannot afford to be taken lightly:

“We’re ready to rock and roll on Saturday. We’re going to be fully prepared, and we know it’s going to be an 80-minute battle to get back to old Trafford.

“Saints have got to come to us, so there’s something in that.

“Home advantage is massive. The fans are incredible, and they got us through our last game like they have done plenty of times this year. The connection we have with our fans is amazing and they are a massive credit to us.

“They travel home and away in their thousands, and our average home attendance is reaching 10,000, which is ridiculous!

“We’re having to pop up stands here and there – it’s a massive honour to play in front of them. Obviously, we’ve got new fans who are just joining now, but that’s what we want!”

So, Mikey Lewis, can Hull KR go on and win the treble?

“I hope so. But it’s going to take two more games to be us and make sure we’re us. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but I don’t see why not.

“We’re fully focused, we’ll take one game at a time, and we’ll certainly be giving it a good go.

“We need to work on our start. When we’ve started well this year, we’ve been really good.

“There’s a few things we need to work on. We know we haven’t been our best these past few weeks, but we’ve had time now to tighten up and make sure we’re fully prepared for this week.”

Do Hull KR dare to dream?

Watch Hull KR v St Helens Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Final on Saturday 4 October, live on BBC Two and Sky Sports (K.O. 5.30pm).