2023 Hull Kingston Rovers season
Hull Kingston Rovers 2023 season | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 Super League season Rank | 4th | |||
Play-off result | Semi-finals | |||
Challenge Cup | Runners-up | |||
2023 record | Wins: 19; draws: 0; losses: 12 | |||
Points scored | For: 589; against: 498 | |||
Team information | ||||
Chairman | Neil Hudgell | |||
Head Coach | Willie Peters | |||
Captain | ||||
Stadium | Craven Park | |||
Avg. attendance | 8,770[1] | |||
High attendance | 10,050 Hull F.C., 9 July | |||
Low attendance | 8,013 Leigh Leopards, 25 August | |||
Top scorers | ||||
Tries | Ryan Hall (14) | |||
Goals | Brad Schneider (31) | |||
Points | Brad Schneider (83) | |||
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The 2023 season was Hull Kingston Rovers' seventh consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. During the season, they competed in the 2023 Super League season and the 2023 Challenge Cup.
Prior to the sacking of Tony Smith as head coach on 4 July 2022 and resultant temporary appointment of Danny McGuire for the rest of the 2022 season, Hull Kingston Rovers announced in May 2022 the appointment of former South Sydney Rabbitohs halfback and Newcastle Knights assistant coach Willie Peters as the team's head coach for the 2023 season in a three-year deal.[2]
Preseason friendlies
Date and Time | Versus | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 January; 17:45[a] | ![]() |
A | Post Office Road | L | 0–28 | 2,976 | [3] | ||
5 February, 15:00 | ![]() |
H | Craven Park | W | 26–4 | R. Hall (2), Opacic, Ryan, Litten | Coote (1/2), Dagger (1/2) | [4] |
Super League
Fixtures
Table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
27 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 722 | 360 | +362 | 40 | Qualification to Semi-finals |
2 | ![]() |
27 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 722 | 420 | +302 | 40 | |
3 | ![]() |
27 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 613 | 366 | +247 | 40 | Qualification to Eliminators |
4 | ![]() |
27 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 589 | 498 | +91 | 32 | |
5 | ![]() |
27 | 16 | 0 | 11 | 585 | 508 | +77 | 32 | |
6 | ![]() |
27 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 597 | 512 | +85 | 28 | |
7 | ![]() |
27 | 13 | 0 | 14 | 494 | 512 | −18 | 26 | |
8 | ![]() |
27 | 12 | 0 | 15 | 535 | 534 | +1 | 24 | |
9 | ![]() |
27 | 11 | 0 | 16 | 473 | 552 | −79 | 22 | |
10 | ![]() |
27 | 10 | 0 | 17 | 476 | 654 | −178 | 20 | |
11 | ![]() |
27 | 6 | 0 | 21 | 323 | 774 | −451 | 12 | |
12 | ![]() |
27 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 303 | 742 | −439 | 8 | Relegation to Championship |
Play-offs
Date and time | Round | Versus | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance | TV | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29 September; 20:00 | Eliminators | ![]() |
H | Craven Park | W | 20–6 | Walker, R. Hall, Luckley | Schneider (3/3 + 1 pen.) | 9,305 | Sky Sports Main Event | [32] |
7 October; 12:45 | Semi-finals | ![]() |
A | DW Stadium | L | 12–42 | Minchella, Litten | Schneider (2/2) | 15,162 | Sky Sports Arena Channel 4 |
[33] |
Challenge Cup

Hull Kingston Rovers were first drawn on 24 April to play the Batley Bulldogs at home in Round 6, confirmed following Batley's Round 5 34-16 victory against the Keighley Cougars the day prior.[34] Following a 50-0 victory against Batley,[35] Hull Kingston Rovers entered the quarter-finals and were drawn at home to the Salford Red Devils.[36]
After winning 28-10 against Salford,[37] Hull Kingston Rovers were drawn into the semi-finals against league leaders Wigan Warriors, to be played at the neutral Headingley Rugby Stadium.[38] A contentious match saw Hull Kingston Rovers win the match in extra time on golden point rules with a drop goal by Brad Schneider, sending the club to the Challenge Cup final for the first time since their 50-0 defeat to Leeds Rhinos in the 2015 final.[39]
Hull Kingston Rovers emerged as runners-up at Wembley Stadium against the Leigh Leopards, who won the match in extra time on golden point rules with a drop goal by Lachlan Lam.[40] The 2023 final was the first time a Challenge Cup final had been held without either Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves or St Helens participating since 1986.[41]
Date and time | Round | Versus | H/A | Venue | Result | Score | Tries | Goals | Attendance | TV | Report |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 May; 20:00 | Round 6 | ![]() |
H | Craven Park | W | 50–0 | Ryan (3), Linnett (2), Kenny-Dowall (2), Lewis, Luckley | Lewis (5/7), Wood (2/2) | 5,143 | Not televised | [35] |
17 June; 12:00 | Quarter-finals | ![]() |
H | Craven Park | W | 28–10 | R. Hall, Zenon, Linnett, Kenny-Dowall, Hadley | Milnes (4/5) | 6,289 | Viaplay Sports 1 | [37] |
23 July; 17:00 | Semi-finals | ![]() |
N | Headingley Rugby Stadium | W | 11–10 (g.p.) | Senior, Ryan | Schneider (1/2) Drop-goals: Schneider |
10,926 | BBC One | [39] |
12 August; 15:00 | Final | ![]() |
N | Wembley Stadium | L | 16–17 (g.p.) | Litten, Parcell | Schneider (2/2 + 2 pen.) | 58,213 | BBC One | [40] |
Transfers
Gains
Player | Club | Contract | Date |
---|---|---|---|
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2 Years | June 2022[42] |
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2 Years | July 2022[43] |
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3 Years | July 2022[44] |
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2 Years | August 2022[45] |
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2 Years | August 2022[46] |
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2 Years | August 2022[47] |
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2 Years | September 2022[48] |
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2 Years | March 2023[49] |
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End of season | July 2023[50] |
Loans in
Player | Club | Loan period | Date |
---|---|---|---|
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Two weeks | June 2023[51] |
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Two weeks | June 2023[52] |
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Two weeks | August 2023[53] |
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Two weeks | August 2023[53] |
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Two weeks | August 2023[53] |
Losses
Player | Club | Contract | Date |
---|---|---|---|
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N/A | Retirement | August 2022[54] |
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2 Years | September 2022[55] |
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2 Years | September 2022[56] |
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1 Year | October 2022[57] |
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1 Year | October 2022[57] |
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1 Year | October 2022[58] |
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2 Years | October 2022[59] |
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1 Year | December 2022[60] |
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N/A | Released | January 2023[61] |
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Dapto Canaries | January 2023[62] | |
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N/A | Retirement | February 2023[63] |
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1 Year | March 2023[49] |
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N/A | Retirement | June 2023[64] |
Loans out
Player | Club | Loan period | Date |
---|---|---|---|
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End of season | January 2023[65] |
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End of season | March 2023[66] |
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One week | March 2023[67] |
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Two weeks | June 2023[68] |
Squad
First team squad | Coaching staff | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Head coach Assistant coaches
Updated: 10 October 2023 |
Notes
- ^ Craig Hall's testimonial match
- ^ This match marked the first time Hull Kingston Rovers had topped the Super League table since the 2008 season.
- ^ Attendance recorded across three fixtures.
References
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- ^ Appleyard, Joe (10 March 2023). "Hull KR verdict as gutsy Robins rue missed chances to conquer unbeaten Warrington". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
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- ^ Appleyard, Joe (24 March 2023). "HHll KR verdict as ruthless Robins emphatically return to winning ways at Wakefield". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ Appleyard, Joe (31 March 2023). "Hull KR verdict as rampant Robins beat Leeds Rhinos in Jordan Abdull masterclass". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ Appleyard, Joe (7 April 2023). "Hull Derby verdict as KR hammer FC in one-sided Good Friday demolition". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ Appleyard, Joe (14 April 2023). "Hull KR verdict as Rovers send Super League statement of intent with St Helens victory". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
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- ^ Appleyard, Joe (5 May 2023). "Hull KR verdict as rampant Robins beat Huddersfield to go joint second in Super League". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
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- ^ Darbyshire, Drew (24 July 2022). "Samoa powerhouse Sauaso Sue sets huge goal after signing for Hull KR". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ "Tom Opacic: Hull KR sign Australian centre from NRL side Parramatta Eels". BBC Sport. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
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- ^ Appleyard, Joe (22 June 2023). "Hull KR star Lachlan Coote retires with immediate effect following medical advice". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
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