THE coach was the same. The players were more or less the same. But this was not the same Hull KR who won the Super League title.

That much must have been clear to Willie Peters just minutes into the play-off defeat to Warrington, when he marched down from his seat in the stand and headed for the touchline, not to leave until his reign as Robins coach was over.

At times he delivered frantic instructions for his coaching team to deliver. But mostly he stood impassively, watching his men scramble in defence, commit errors and scramble again. Watching them fumble chance after chance to make a recovery. Watching the empire he built fall at his feet.

It’s easy to forget now just how good Hull KR were last season. At times their defence was impenetrable, their discipline impeccable, their attack irresistible.

Only the great sides can reach those standards, and Rovers were just that. But only the legendary sides can maintain it over multiple years, while facing all manner of challenges.

While this isn’t to write off any future success for the club. It seems clear enough now that Hull KR have fallen short on that note, and that their thrilling four-trophy ride was a glorious but brief sweet spot when everything came together in perfect harmony.

Hull KR started at Warrington with a full starting line-up of players who appeared in last October’s Grand Final victory over Wigan. Their only team changes from then to now were Michael McIlorum and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, both in well-earned retirement, Tom Amone and Karl Lawton going in, plus Jack Broadbent being selected as a substitute ahead of Rhyse Martin.

But how many of their constants have played better this year than last? Tom Davies, who in any case was lost here after just a minute to a head knock? Tyrone May, in the first half of the season if not the second? Jez Litten, perhaps?

Then consider how many are playing at even the same level, and how many are performing below those high, self-imposed standards. It’s easier now to see how first place became sixth, and how play-off glory at the last became play-off agony at the first.

Contrast with Warrington, who admittedly set a very low bar for themselves when finishing eighth last season, but have risen as many places this year as Hull KR have fallen.

Danny Walker, James Harrison and Josh Thewlis are hitting career-best form, as is hat-trick hero Matty Ashton after a long lay-off. Ben Currie and George Williams are rolling back the years, while young talents Arron Lindop and Ewan Irwin have been trusted early and are now rewarding the club.

New signings have also paid off handsomely, despite initial doubts over Albert Hopoate (due to his injury record), James Bentley (due to his disciplinary record) and Liam Byrne (who wasn’t always a Wigan fan favourite).

That’s all a great credit to Sam Burgess who, after three years and two Challenge Cup final defeats is still looking for the trophy triumph that removes any doubt over his coaching pedigree.

Will that come in the next fortnight? They will need to be better than this.

While the physical performance could not be questioned, on either side of the ball, Warrington surely won’t be presented with as many attacking opportunities by Leeds, never mind a Grand Final opponent. If they aren’t more clinical, it will cost them in a way it only briefly threatened to this time.

They’re a good side, more than good enough to beat the Hull KR of this year. But would they have beaten the Hull KR of last year?

It’s a long way to reach those heights, just as it’s a long way to fall.