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 champs Hull Kingston Rovers suffered a 3rd defeat in their opening four video games as Catalans Dragons made a remarkable 26-20 victory in Perpignan.
The Robins swept all before them last season, taking all three domestic prizes before beating Brisbane Broncos to end up being world champs last month, but the French side were exceptional as two tries from Zac Lipowicz and one by Romain Navarrete had them 20-6 ahead at the 60-minute mark.
It like Rovers, in spite of an unconvincing screen, were carrying their way back towards success as tries from Joe Burgess and Tom Amone and Mikey Lewis' penalty levelled ball games.
In a dramatic finale, Catalans increased the other end and 19-year-old Lenny Marc raced over for a winning try which boosts them approximately seventh location.
It seemed like Rovers were discovering their feet after losing their 2 opening 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 meeting.
That proved to be a false dawn, nevertheless, as they revealed defensive weak points, poor discipline at essential 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 exceptional despite the fact that they lost 3 forwards to injury, forcing making use of their 18th male Harvey Wilson, and then saw prominent scrum-half Lewis Dodd limp off.
Rovers had actually started well enough as May, in his 100th Super League look and playing against his former club, bounced off a deal with and stepped over the line.
But Catalans developed dominance 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 then Matthieu Laguerre to an ankle problem in fast succession however it did not disrupt their flow as Sexton's penalty and his conversion of a second shot for Lipowicz 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 began to get on top.
Oliver GIldart released Burgess to race away for his 150th Super League try, Amone touched down May's grubber and Mikey Lewis slotted a charge to square it up and a KR return win looked unavoidable.
When Jack Broadbent raced down the middle, it seemed to be the gaining moment however he unwisely tried to unload, Dragons regained possession and when they launched one last attack teen Marc triggered mass celebrations by racing clear of the Robins defence to rating.
'Numerous mistakes and penalties' - response
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters told 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 found a way at the back end.
"But when I look at our efficiency, so lots of mistakes and penalties which put us in a poor position.
"What I took pride in was the method we combated back, we put ourselves back in the game however at the back end we were searching for the quick repair as we desired the video game so bad on that one play and it occurred, not just on Jack [Broadbent's] dip into the end, however throughout the game.
"My task now is to review it, browse it and take ownership but when you're playing, gamers play the game.
"They put themselves in a position to win but there was a duration where we did find some circulation, hold the footy and ask some concerns, and when it was time to defend our line we did. We didn't do that for long enough periods."
Catalans: Staines; Cotric, Laulu-Togagae, Faatape, Marc; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Da Costa, Navarrete, Lipowicz, Laguerre, Garcia.
Interchanges: Satae, Bousquet, Leeming, Chan, Wilson (18th guy).
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