There’s nothing more satisfying than proving doubters wrong. On the opening night of Super League 2026, York Knights silenced everyone in a certain way.
In the first half, York defended 32 played balls in their own half. Sky Sports’ Sam Tomkins said a team of Hull KR’s level should expect “a couple of tries” in such a long period of pressure.
they got nothing.
The home team’s defense looked absolutely desperate and struggled to stop the reigning champions.
All I thought as I watched was that this was going to cause them to lose all their energy in the second half. Robins will perform well and the floodgates will open. Once again, they proved another prediction wrong that rang a bell.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch Ata Hingano put York Knights ahead with 4 minutes left!
To understand the magnitude of York’s achievement, you need to understand the makeup of Super League, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Although there has been no promotion or relegation in recent years, the number of teams in the competition has increased from 12 to 14, with a new evaluation system and the selection of two clubs by an independent committee.
York were one of the teams chosen, along with Toulouse Olympique, with Bradford Bulls automatically slotting into the top 12, replacing Salford Red Devils.
As such, given salary cap usage, player quality and experience, the Knights were expected to prop up the competition after 27 rounds each season. Eleven of their squad had never played in a top-flight Super League match before.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis penalized for sticking out his foot and tripping York’s Liam Harris
Not only that, but it has also been revealed that Hull KR have ‘requested’ to play either York, Bradford or Toulouse in the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos on Thursday February 19th. Talk about motivating your team more than ever.
RL Commercial’s Rhodri Jones said: “We have been working with Hull KR in terms of preparing them as best as possible for next Thursday’s World Club Challenge, so it is no surprise that this match was played on a Thursday night to give Hull KR time to prepare for the game against Brisbane.”
“We had discussions with Hull KR and what they wanted, what they wanted, what they asked of us was to play a team similar to York, like Bradford or Toulouse as an example.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
York Knights score first try of the 2026 Super League season – vs Hull KR
In sports, statistics, analysis, and nuance are the focus, as each team spends a week in preparation learning how to beat their opponents. York’s Liam Harris has spent the week practicing drop goals. They were ready for air combat.
Then, when the moment for the drop goal arrived, Harris passed the ball to teammate Ata Hingano, securing an all-out victory.
“First drop goal of my career. I was hoping Liam (Harris) would score it. He’s been doing that all day in training. He never gave me a pass in training, so I’m very happy to have done that,” York Knights winner Hingano told Sky Sports.
“Honestly, there was no call. It was instant. That’s the best way we play football, instant play.
“My take on the win is we worked hard. People looked at us as a team from the championship, but I want everyone to see we worked as hard as they did.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sam Wood hits a double on his debut between York Knights and Hull KR.
York are the 25th team in Super League history to challenge for the top flight and have lofty ambitions. Speaking at the Rugby League Awards Ceremony in October 2025, Head Coach Mark Applegarth noted that if selected for Super League, they would become the only top-flight club in the Cathedral City. Sky Sports’ Mark Wilson spoke to the fans before kick-off, who called it the biggest moment for the city in 40 years.
They had no right to defeat Hal KR. KR is a treble holder and aims to become world champion in seven days.
People will talk about the rain, the sins of Mikey Lewis, the fact that it was the season opener. Are all of them important? Yes. But did they lose the match to Hull KR on their own? No.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters said Lewis was sent to the sin bin because he had “let his teammates down” by sticking his foot out and tripping Harris.
Rather, York won the game through its own will, its own determination, its own defiance, to show that the team was more than talent on paper, more than the money the team spent on players. In the words of Player of the Year Paul McShane, ‘Teams are built on unity’.
There was a sense of unity in York. They went out to show that who they are now is and should be respected.
Despair is defined as “a strong feeling of need for change or relief, often caused by a sense of urgency.” Rebellion is defined as “bold disobedience.”
Combine these two and you’ll get the York Knights on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season. Exclusively live, including two matches from each round, the remaining five matches will be shown weekly on Sky Sports+.
