‘Last year got to us, now let’s win it’ – Wire’s Dufty

Warrington Wolves vs. Hull KR final of the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup

Warrington Wolves make history again for the Challenge Cup final this year after a year-long hiatus under the Wembley arch.

Sam Burgess’ efforts to win a trophy in his first season as head coach were foiled by Wigan Warriors a year ago.

Now it is Hull KR, who appear to be formidable as they currently lead the Super League standings.

Burgess’ squad has suffered injuries so far in 2025, and despite putting together another cup run, they have struggled in the Super League with just six victories in 13 games thus far.

Is this the point where they can turn their season around now that they have George Williams back from the talisman for the trip to Wembley?

In Warrington’s history, a victory at the national stadium would mark the company’s tenth victory.

However, one of the biggest players in contemporary northern hemisphere rugby league will have to defy the odds to defeat a runaway Hull KR side, who has only lost once in all competitions this season.

Matt Dufty scored a late try to give the Wire hope against Wigan in the final game of last season’s final at Wembley and had an action-packed 80 minutes of sin-binned within the first five minutes.

He acknowledged that his side had been overawed by the occasion and that they had to put up with the pressure of playing at Wembley.

“We probably outperformed ourselves in the first half last year,” we said. He told BBC Sport, “The circumstance probably got to us a little bit.

“We lost the game before we even started,” he said. We can hopefully start with a head on level this year. We can enter with a clear mind, clear strategy, and commitment.

Hull KR are “probably the in-form team at this point,” he said. We must step up and put our best foot forward.

Warrington, who defeated St Helens and Leigh Leopards in the Challenge Cup to reach this year’s final, has performed well in Super League and is currently eighth in the table.

Our gameplan probably has been a little stymied this year, according to us. Our spine hasn’t been active all year. We have to make decisions and adjust game plans every week, he continued.

Ben Currie is aware of the term “squad rotation.”

Due to the fact that Currie’s team has struggled with injuries throughout the entire 2025 season, they have played across the field for the Wire this season.

Talismanic captain Williams has been sidelined for the past few months with an ankle injury, while Oli Leyland and Sneyd, a newly acquired half-back, have also been out.

After a season of changing and chopping, would Currie prefer to continue his transition across the lineup or to return to playing loose forward?

He told BBC Sport, “Obviously we don’t want to give away our team, but that would be ideal in order to stay in the position I’m set to play at.”

Every week, no matter who we bench, there is a situation where I end up changing jobs.

“Once or twice in a 15 games, I’ve been able to hold onto one position.” But I’ve really embraced it and found enjoyment in it. At the age of 30, I’ve had the opportunity to play in the middle and center for the first time in my career.

Sneyd has made a formidable Wire pack since joining from Salford Red Devils, a financially troubled Super League team, this year.

The 34-year-old has recovered from injury and will likely play opposite George Williams.

Sneyd has won the Challenge Cup and the Lance Todd Trophy with Hull FC in 2016 and 2017, and he also has a pedigree for the cup.

Sneydy has won two of his matches there, and I’m certain he knows what to do. We need to capitalize on his kicking ability and defend well, Dufty added.

We have to put our efforts where it belongs because Hull KR are probably the best defensive team in the competition.

Despite their form in relation to Hull KR’s current standing, Currie does not think his side will be fazed by the underdog tag.

Everyone keeps tagging the underdog, everyone. Evidently, that is what a large number of people think of the game. However, he said, “It’s difficult to be the underdog in a two-horse race.”

They are the team to beat, and they are known for their leadership in the Super League. They consistently perform very well. We’re anticipating a difficult game for sure.