Hull KR head coach Willie Peters is dealing with a growing injury list after three key forwards were hurt in a 62-4 Super League victory over Wigan Warriors at Craven Park on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
The win lifted Hull KR to second in the table, but it came at a cost.
Dean Hadley left the field late with a hamstring issue, Karl Lawton managed only 20 minutes before exiting with a rib injury, and Jai Whitbread struggled with a minor groin problem.
The potential absence of the trio complicates preparations for the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
However, Peters confirmed that Tyrone May, who missed the match with a minor shoulder niggle, and Joe Burgess will be fit to feature.
"Tyrone had a little bit of a shoulder, he's OK but it's a minor niggle so we wanted to give him a chance to play," Peters said.
The Robins previously lost full-back Arthur Mourgue to a suspected pectoral tear during a round 11 match against Leigh Leopards, which is expected to rule him out of the final long-term.
"They're all minor so the ones that didn't play they'll be fine for next week," Peters added.
Medical staff must now evaluate the severity of the new injuries ahead of the weekend showpiece.
"Lawton has a rib issue so we'll have to see how that goes.
Ideally we wanted to take some guys off and move things around a little bit but with him and Jai had a minor groin and Dean, we'll have to wait and see with Dean," Peters said.
Hadley was observed walking gingerly after the final whistle, though he managed to shake hands with opponents without visible strapping.
"Dean felt his hamstring so we have to see to what extent that is," Peters said.
Despite the medical setbacks, Hull KR secured the necessary league points by scoring 11 tries, including a hat-trick from Mikey Lewis.
"We wanted two points and got it. We're happy with that and move on," Peters said.
The opposition fielded a younger lineup that mounted a stronger defensive effort after halftime. "First half was really clinical.
Second half credit to Wigan. Their young boys came out and turned things around.
They were physical and they played well," Peters said.
The adjustments forced the coaching staff to alter their tactical rotations as the game concluded.
"It was scrappy but that can happen as we moved some people around," Peters said.
The squad successfully achieved its primary competitive objective for the round despite the unfolding injury crisis. "But we got what we wanted out of it," Peters said.
Injury issues also struck other Super League clubs during round 12 fixtures.
Warrington Wolves prop Luke Yates was ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season with an unspecified injury, while teammate Sam Stone missed their game against Bradford Bulls due to a hamstring problem and Josh Thewlis suffered a neck issue.
St Helens forward Noah Stephens failed a head injury assessment and was hospitalized for potential neck damage following a heavy tackle against Castleford Tigers.
Deon Cross also exited that match early due to injury, while center Harry Robertson missed the fixture with a quad injury.
Leigh Leopards winger AJ Towse sustained a hamstring injury during a victory over Hull FC, who were already missing Davy Litten with a knee issue, Brad Fash with a long-term MCL injury, and Amir Bourouh due to a failed concussion test.
Bradford Bulls player Chris Atkin dislocated a finger against Warrington but returned to play, while teammate Ethan Ryan failed a head injury assessment in the prior round.
