Battle of the Kings: Why Toby wanted to avoid brother George in Challenge Cup semi-finals

Wigan star Toby King was gutted to find out they had drawn Hull KR in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup because he was hoping to face his brother George in the final at Wembley.

Wigan and Hull KR both progressed to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup following respective wins over Warrington and Salford.

The Warriors and Robins will go head to head in the semi-finals at Headingley on Sunday, July 23.

Toby King gave a funny interview with Robbie Hunter-Paul in front of the BBC cameras after their 14-12 win over Warrington, where he was told they had been drawn against George’s Hull KR.

“I really wanted to avoid Hull KR,” King said with a smile when Hunter-Paul notified him of the semi-final draw.

“They’ve got one of the best props in Super League in George King! I watched them yesterday against Salford, he killed it so its going to be a tough game, I’ve got a lot of respect for KR.

“That’s the one team I didn’t want to play. If we were going to play (against each other) I wanted it to be in the final so at least one of us would be taking the Challenge Cup home but at least one of us will go to Wembley now.

“It’s a tough day for the family that, I actually didn’t want it! Battle of the Kings in the semi-final.”

George took to social media after the draw, tweeting: “Let the battle commence.”

Let the battle commence

— George King (@georgeking9876) June 18, 2023

Wigan coach reacts to Challenge Cup semi-finals draw

St Helens will take on Leigh in the first of the men’s semi-finals on Saturday, July 22, followed by the Battle of the Kings in Wigan-Hull KR the following day.

Reacting to the draw, Peet told the BBC: “So impressive how they (Hull KR) are playing.

“I think they’ll certainly fancy Wembley this year, big club, huge following, so it’s going to be a good one.

“I’m super impressed with what Willie Peters has achieved there, in a recent period were they’ve had a few missing, I think it’s proven that what they are doing isn’t based on individuals, it’s a collective.”

Toby and George King played together for a couple of years at Warrington and represented Ireland together at last year’s World Cup.

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