Super League: Hull FC 0-22 Hull KR - Rovers win season opener as hosts have two sent off

Hull KR scored five tries to beat Hull FC, who had two players sent off, in Super League's opening game.

Rovers debutants Niall Evalds and Kelepi Tanginoa crossed in the first 20 minutes and Mikey Lewis also touched down to give the visitors a 14-0 lead.

Hull FC prop Franklin Pele was sent off for catching Elliot Minchella with a swinging arm just before the interval.

Matt Parcell and Evalds' second wrapped up a comfortable win, while the hosts' Ligi Sao was also dismissed late on.

Before Evalds' last-gasp score, Sao was sent off for contacting Parcell's head with his knee, with hooker Parcell also yellow-carded for his part in instigating the melee.

Hull KR had won 40-0 and 36-4 in their previous two away games against their neighbours, and the margin of this victory would have been greater but for five kicking failures from six attempts, with Peta Hiku landing one conversion.

Already eight points ahead and on top, this derby swung firmly in the visiting side's favour with two key moments before half-time.

Lewis, who starred at half-back for England in their series win over Tonga at the end of 2023, wriggled away from defenders to score the Robins' third try.

And the hosts had little room for complaint when referee Liam Moore showed a red card to new signing Pele, who recklessly swung an arm towards the grounded Minchella having already tackled his opponent to the floor.

Aside from the final result, Hull FC's bid to improve on last season's 10th-place finish could not have started in worse fashion.

They were disrupted before kick-off by centre Liam Sutcliffe's late withdrawal through illness, while forward Joe Cator was forced off injured inside the first 10 minutes.

The hosts also lost experienced hooker Danny Houghton after he failed a head injury assessment following a knock in the second period.

But Tony Smith's side were not helped by indiscipline either, playing for more than half of the match with 12 men and the last few minutes with only 11.

Herman Ese'ese had already spent 10 first-half minutes in the sin-bin for a high tackle, before Pele and Sao were on the wrong end of harsher punishments.

Wales coach John Kear, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra:

"The best team by a mile has won tonight. They can feel really happy with how they've started this season.

"They were energetic, they'll be delighted with the defensive aspect, and they looked threatening with the ball, although they'll have to find a goalkicker from somewhere because that aspect wasn't good enough.

"Hull FC have got lots and lots and lots to do. It's been a nightmare day for the Black and Whites."

Hull KR try scorer Niall Evalds told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra:

"It's massive for me. The injury problems I've had in the past couple of years have been well-documented. It's a different position for me out on the wing but I loved every minute.

"The fans were outstanding. Playing in a Hull derby, it's a special occasion. I've missed rugby league so it's good to be out there and get that win as well.

"Hull are a good side and it was exactly what you expect from a derby. We're pleased but it's only round one. We've got a lot of work to do and we'll build from here."

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I'm happy with our defence and I'm happy we've got the two points, but we've got some work to do with our attack.

"To play against 12 and then 11 men, you probably need to score a few more points than what we did.

"But overall, with it being round one, I'm definitely happy to get a win and with the way we defended."

Hull FC head coach Tony Smith told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I was looking to see if it was Friday the 13th or something. That's all part of it, but there are no excuses. Our opponents were better than us and deserved their victory, we'll be gracious about that.

"I don't know that we could have played much worse in that first half to set up a 14-0 scoreline.

"I thought they put in a really brave effort in the second half, my boys, the effort was exceptional."

Hull FC: Walker; Martin, Litten, Scott, McIntosh; Smith, F Brown; Ese'ese, Houghton, Pele, Okunbor, Sao, Cator.

Interchanges: Hoy, Lane, Ashworth, J Brown.

Sent off: Pele (39), Sao (73).

Sin-bin: Ese'ese (11).

Hull KR: Hiku; Evalds, Opacic, Gildart, R Hall; May, Lewis; Hadley, Litten, Whitbread, Tanginoa, Batchelor, Minchella.

Interchanges: Sue, King, Parcell, Aydin, C Hall.

Sin-bin: Parcell (73).

Referee: Liam Moore.