Image source, Getty Images

Hull KR wanted to go back to the future and claim their first silverware since 1985.

But they have come up against a very special Wigan side, who do the dirty work and hard yards in defence better than any other side.

2024 in rugby league is all about Wigan Warriors.

World Club Challenge, tick. Challenge Cup, tick. League Leaders' Shield, tick. And now the most important of the lot, the Grand Final, tick.

A very special year from a very special team.

Back to the future? Absolutely with this Wigan Warriors team. A potential new Wigan dynasty is born.

Thanks for joining us this evening for this Grand Final. Domestic rugby league will return in 2025 with the rest having to find a way of stopping this fantastic Wigan side.

Wigan captain Liam Farrell talking to Sky Sports: "It was Tuesday or Wednesday before I found out I was playing, I had to get some checks but the doctors gave me the all-clear,

"I'm relieved more than anything to be involved with this special team.

"There's never been a point in the year when we said we're going to win all of the trophies, but consistently we just turned up in the games and put ourselves in a position to win.

"Last year we were chasing because we hadn't won it for a little while.

"This year we were being chased which was a different challenge for us. In terms of slowing down, I can't see it.

Wigan forward Junior Nsemba speaking to BBC Radio 5Live:

"The boys worked hard all year. This is the first time for Wigan that has ever done it back-to-back so a bit of bragging rights.

"On the humble side, we are proud of what we've done this year and we thank all the fans for turning up every week. That helps us a lot.

"We all knew it was going to be a fast and intense game. We just had to prepare for that and come out faster.

"We've got good leaders in our squad like Liam Farrell, he's been here before.

"It's been an amazing season, I'm proud of myself.

"Four trophies - the fans have played a part as well, we couldn't have done it without them."

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters paid a special tribute to the club's supporters after the defeat.

"They are the best, there is no doubt about that," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"We just needed to get one more try and they would have got us home. If we got one try, they would have got us another one.

"I'm really proud to be head coach of KR and the fanbase that we have got, we have done a lot of good stuff this year and they have been behind it all."

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC 5 Live:

"It was about moments - and one moment in particular, obviously when Bevan French slices through and scores.

"We certainly had enough opportunities, but they ice that one and we didn't.

"I'm very proud of my players. I'm proud that we hung in there, we have had a really positive season and have done a lot of great things, so there's a lot I'm proud of that's for sure.

"It is fine margins when you are playing these games and you have two very good teams.

"That is what separates being champion sand not being champions, so we will learn.

"You always learn lessons, but I want to take a lot of the positives we did throughout the year and look at the game and just see where we can do better.

"We made a few fundamental errors and that can happen, but we made too many.

"In the second half we just didn't get enough momentum, and when we asked a few questions we looked OK but they defended well, so full credit to Wigan."

More from Hull KR head coach Willie Peters talking to Sky Sports: "When you play in grand finals you get that experience. Whether it was that, I'm not sure.

"They just took their chances.

"I'll have a look at it, properly dissect it and find out how we can be better.

"The great teams finish with silverware and we didn't, but there were so many great things we did this season and I'll certainly take a lot out of that."

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters talking to Sky Sports: "I’m definitely proud, we gave it our all, but credit to Wigan - that’s why they’re world champions.

“They defended their line extremely well, they took their opportunities and we didn't.

“We’ve come a long way in the space of a year so I’m really proud of the players, the staff, everyone involved in the club.

“We're on a journey and regardless of tonight, it was never going to be the end of it so we’re not too far away.”

Hull KR half-back and Man of Steel Mikey Lewis speaking to BBC Humberside:

"I'm very proud. It's hard to take at the moment but we will learn.

"I'm sure we will be back here, we will learn from the mistakes and Wigan is a fantastic side.

"It's about nailing your moments and there was one moment in the game and they aced it. Credit to them.

"I'll be kicking myself for a long time but I'll keep my head up high. Get some rest and go again next year.

"I want to be here every year competing for this trophy."

Wigan have got all their trophies on the floor in front of their joyous supporters.

That is an impressive collection of silverware! All four rugby league pots in 2024!

Image source, Rex Features

More from Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet talking to Sky Sports: "This isn't the end.

"We've got so much more learning to do and so much more to build connection-wise.

"I think it's for others to make comparisons, there have been some very good teams."

Wigan head coach Matt Peet speaking to BBC Radio 5Live:

"It was a proper Grand Final.

"We beat a very good team tonight and we had to be at our best.

"It's about doing the basics really well and Harry Smith kicked exceptionally well.

"Our strengths are our strengths. Harry's a fantastic kicker, Bevan French can do marvellous things - the chemistry we have in the team is very good at the moment, we've got a good balance.

"Most of all the players love each other and they will defend the back sides of each other."

Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet talking to Sky Sports: "I'm very proud. We came up against an almighty team and an almighty club.

"I've just said to the Hull KR players and staff that I think there are a few more of these to come over the next few years and they made a real game of it.

"It was exactly what I expected but I have great faith in this team. It means so much to them. They mean so much to one another.

"It's a pleasure to coach them."

Image source, PA Media

Parts of Old Trafford are now emptying, but not the Stretford End. That's where the vast majority of Wigan players are situated.

Now it's trophy time as Liam Farrell raises it to the skies!

Champagne, tickertape and fireworks acknowledge the moment - an incredibly special one for anyone connected with the Warriors.

The Wigan players are being called up one by one to receive their Grand Final winners' rings.

Captain Liam Farrell is going to be the last man up.

Bevan French is up first to collect his Rob Burrow Award from Rob's father, Geoff, who is sporting all of his late son's Grand Final rings.

A poignant sight.

Rob Burrow Award winner Bevan French talking to Sky Sports: "It's been an emotional sort of week.

"We knew history was on the line - to go all four in the calendar year. The club is so special to me, bringing my family over. It's crazy.

"This one just meant more. They went above and beyond to fly my brother and my uncle over. This is special.

"I might not get a night like this again so I'm going to take it all in."

Hull KR stand-off Tyrone May speaking to BBC Radio Humberside:

"We tried our hardest but we weren't as silky as we wanted to be.

"Credit to Wigan. They had a game plan and they executed it well.

"They've been here before and you can tell. It's a good learning curve just to stay in that fight and not go away from what's worked for us all year.

"We didn't go out without a fight. I'm proud of the boys and it's a tough one to take.

"There were a few opportunities we could have scored but they scrambled well. It's a credit to them and their organisation.

"They are the team to beat and we will be fighting for that next year.

"It will drive the hunger."

Wigan captain Liam Farrell talking to Sky Sports: "To win four trophies this season, it's been a crazy ride.

"We were pretty tired tonight but we knew it was going to be like that. Hull KR like to grind teams down, but we think we're good at that, too.

"We have a great group of players, great coaching staff. We're in a great place at the moment and just very happy to do what we set out to achieve."

Attack wins games, and Hull KR had a blistering attack throughout the Super League season.

But goodness me, that Wigan defence.

Three successive shutouts before tonight and just one penalty goal given up tonight.

That kind of defence deserves to win championships.

John Kear
Wales coach on BBC Radio 5Live

Wigan are a high quality team.

They trust themselves, they trust each other, they trust the processes they go through.

To go three or four games without conceding a try, it's unbelievable.