Hull KR v Wigan Warriors: Wembley dress rehearsal no chess battle for Willie Peters

The fixture computer cannot possibly account for cup runs when the Super League calendar is mapped out months in advance, yet Wembley finalists continue to collide just before the big occasion.

That leaves coaches with a delicate balancing act between protecting players, maintaining momentum and perhaps even gaining a psychological edge.

Hull KR have experienced both sides of the argument in recent years.

Willie Peters opted for extensive rotation before the 2023 final defeat to Leigh Leopards, only to take a very different approach last season when the Robins maintained momentum heading into Wembley and were rewarded with Challenge Cup success.

A fortnight earlier, they had defeated a depleted Warrington Wolves in Super League.

There is a sense of déjà vu as they prepare to face a youthful Wigan Warriors at Craven Park, sticking with the same approach that served them so well last year.

Matt Peet selected a strong side for Wigan's 2024 dress rehearsal against Warrington and watched the Warriors go on to win at Wembley, yet he has gone the other way this week.

As far as Peters is concerned, it is horses for courses rather than an exact science.

"I don't think it's a chess battle," he said ahead of Thursday's Super League clash. "I think it's just what suits your team.

"I'm not going to be reactive to what Matt and Wigan do in terms of their teamsheet; it's what we need. I'm sure they're thinking the same thing.

"There might be different approaches but we're just worried about ours."

With the exception of Arthur Mourgue, Joe Burgess and James Batchelor, Peters is picking from a full-strength squad.

Whether other key men miss out remains to be seen but healthy players will not be wrapped in cotton wool.

"There's no doubt there are some players that we need to look at," added Peters, who confirmed Mourgue will miss Wembley with a fresh pectoral injury. "It's not so much a rest but managing them because some players are carrying a few different things.

"If they don't play, it's because we need to manage them to make sure they're OK for the week after. It's purely going to be around where they're at body-wise."

After eight consecutive wins, Peters' logic is hard to argue with.

Rovers have the kind of momentum every team craves following their hardest-fought victory yet at Leigh.

"They're important wins," said Peters. "We've lost a couple of narrow ones this year – at York and over in Catalans. We needed to win it.

"We won in a different way by holding on. To Leigh's credit, they fought hard and asked a lot of questions at the back end of the game but we scrambled hard and found a way.

"Coming away from Leigh with two points is difficult to do, especially when they've got their full-strength team.

"It's a win I'm really proud of because we could have lost that and then you're dealing with a different sort of energy the week after."

One of the biggest fears before a big game is the threat of suspension.

Mikey Lewis walked a fine line last week, seeing yellow for a professional foul and escaping punishment after tripping Adam Cook.

The 2024 Man of Steel was retrospectively charged by the match review panel – the second time he has been punished for the same offence.

It is another reminder of the edge Peters is continually trying to manage in Lewis' game.

"Mikey and I have good chats all the time," said Peters.

"We've obviously spoken about last weekend. There were a couple of things in his game that crept back in. He's owned that.

"The main thing for Mikey is that he's accountable to his team-mates, which he is. He doesn't want to let anyone down.

"Mikey is a key member of our team. He knows that last weekend there were a couple of things that he needs to work on again.

"It's like anything – you just need to make sure that you keep on top of things. He's grown so much in so many areas of his life, as a man and as a player. He knows he's not the finished product and needs to keep working on his game.

"We always have good discussions. We're very close. I'm happy with his response after the game to his team-mates."

Lewis is set to go up against rising star Jack Farrimond – one of several Wigan youngsters catching the eye this season.

Regardless of personnel, Peters expects Wigan's DNA to shine through at Craven Park.

"The young players look like seasoned players already," he said.

"The older guys will come back next week but Matt's probably wondering whether certain players come back in because the younger guys are doing a great job.

"The future is bright for Wigan because they've got another young crop of exciting players coming through."