Betfred Super League
York (6) 19
Tries: Wood 2, Galeano Goals: Harris 3 Drop-Goal: Hingano
Hull KR (6) 18
Tries: Whitbread 2, Sue Goals: Martin 3
Reigning champions Hull KR suffered a shock defeat by York Knights in the opening game of the 2026 Super League season.
Sam Wood's early try gave York a surprise lead before Jai Whitbread barged over to level and make it 6-6 at the break.
Whitbread reached over for his second score to put the visitors in front and Sauaso Sue went in under the posts to seemingly put Hull KR in charge.
However, the game was turned on its head after the away side were reduced to 12 players after Mikey Lewis was sin-binned for a petulant trip on Liam Harris.
Wood got the Knights back in the game while Harris was off and Scott Galeano crossed to level the scores once more before Ata Hingano landed a drop-goal to give York a fairytale victory.
The ramifications of this defeat could be felt beyond this week for last season's treble-winners.
Half-back Lewis' foolish kick out on York skipper Harris could mean he misses next week's World Club Challenge against National Rugby League premiers Brisbane Broncos through suspension.
York: Mataafa, Jones-Bishop, Wood, Williams, Galeano, Hingano, Harris, Va’a, McShane, Vaughan, Field, Dee, Thompson.
Interchanges: Balmforth, Martin, Sangare, Griffin.
Hull KR: Mourgue, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Lewis, May, Sue, Litten, Brown, Martin, Batchelor, Minchella.
Interchanges: Broadbent, Luckley, Whitbread, Lawton.
Referee: Liam Rush.
