Lipowicz Function As Catalans Pile Misery On Hull KR

21 March 2026


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Catalans (14) 26


Tries: Lipowicz 2, Navarrete, Marc Goals: Sexton 5


Hull KR (6) 20


Tries: May, Burgess, Amone Goals: Lewis 4


Reigning Super League champions Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a third defeat in their opening four video games as Catalans Dragons made an amazing 26-20 victory in Perpignan.


The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all 3 domestic prizes before beating Brisbane Broncos to end up being world champions last month, however the French side were remarkable as 2 shots from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.


It looked like Rovers, despite an unconvincing display screen, were hauling their way back towards success as shots from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' penalty levelled ball games.


In a significant ending, Catalans went up the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which increases them approximately seventh location.


It appeared like Rovers were finding their feet after losing their 2 opening video games of the league season to York Knights and Leeds Rhinos, as they beat Huddersfield Giants in both their league fixture and recently's Challenge Cup conference.


That showed to be an incorrect dawn, nevertheless, as they revealed defensive weaknesses, bad discipline at key moments and an absence of the style which swept all before them last season.


Catalans, who have a routine of blowing hot and cold, were outstanding despite the fact that they lost three forwards to injury, forcing making use of their 18th male Harvey Wilson, and after that saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.


Rovers had started well enough as May, in his 100th Super League look and playing against his previous club, bounced off a deal with and stepped over the line.


But Catalans established supremacy and deservedly levelled when Dodd broke and Lipowicz extended to touch down after being tackled except the line.


The Dragons lost outstanding prop Josh Allen and his replacement Julian Bousquet to head injuries and after that Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle problem in fast succession however it did not disrupt their circulation as Sexton's penalty and his conversion of a 2nd shot for had them 14-6 up at half time.


The home side even rode the loss of Dodd to extend their lead through Navarrete, however as their over-worked forwards tired the Robins started to get on top.


Oliver GIldart released Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League attempt, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a charge to square it up and a KR comeback win looked inescapable.


When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the winning moment however he unwisely tried to unload, Dragons gained back belongings and when they launched one last attack teen Marc sparked mass events by racing clear of the Robins defence to rating.


'Numerous mistakes and charges' - reaction


Hull KR head coach Willie Peters informed BBC Radio Humberside:


"We made it hard for ourselves but you have to pay credit to Catalans. They're a gutsy team who work hard for each other and they discovered a method at the back end.


"But when I take a look at our efficiency, so numerous errors and penalties which put us in a bad position.


"What I was proud of was the way we resisted, we put ourselves back in the game but at the back end we were trying to find the quick fix as we desired the game so bad on that one play and it took place, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] play at completion, however throughout the video game.


"My job now is to evaluate it, browse it and take ownership however when you're playing, gamers play the video game.


"They put themselves in a position to win but there was a duration where we did discover some flow, hold the footy and ask some concerns, and when it was time to protect our line we did. We didn't do that for long adequate periods."


Catalans: Staines; Cotric, Laulu-Togagae, Faatape, Marc; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Da Costa, Navarrete, Lipowicz, Laguerre, Garcia.


Interchanges: Satae, Bousquet, Leeming, Chan, Wilson (18th male).


Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitehead, Batchelor, Minchella.


Interchanges: Amone, Luckley, Whitbread, Leyland.


Referee: Jack Smith.


Hull Kingston Rovers


Catalans Dragons