Hull KR captain and former Parramatta Eels star Mick Vella led by example as he scored a rare try to book the Robins' play-off berth at the expense of Castleford in a thrilling 26-24 Super League victory.

In his last appearance at Craven Park, the 33-year-old Australian international Vella crossed to cap an emotional performance in front of his mother Joanne, who had flown in to watch his farewell match.

The Robins were also indebted to former Canberra Raider Michael Dobson, who contributed 10 points including a try, as Justin Morgan's side finished the regular season in seventh.

It was a heroic effort by Castleford who were missing 10 players and they took the lead through Danny Orr before Dobson and Vella touched down.

Ex-St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker Rangi Chase then set up Richard Owen for the visitors but a Dobson penalty and Richard Owen try gave Hull KR an 18-12 halftime advantage.

Steve Snitch exchanged tries with Jake Webster and Sam Latus for the hosts but Castleford retook the lead when Jordan Thompson dived over.

But Morgan's men secured their play-off place for the third year running when Latus touched down his second try.

The Robins will face Catalan Dragons next week who rounded off their regular season campaign with a 44-18 defeat of Salford.

There was to be no fairytale ending for the Reds who were playing their last match at The Willows, their home for 110 years, as Setaimata Sa and ex-Australian international Steve Menzies each bagged two tries.

The other elimination play-off will be contested by Leeds Rhinos, who face Hull, after their 34-21 defeat of Huddersfield.

Centre Zak Hardaker gave the Rhinos the lead, which was extended through former New Zealand international Brent Webb, with Kevin Sinfield converting both scores to give Leeds a 12-0 cushion.

But the rest of the first half belonged to the Giants as converted tries from Michael Lawrence, Luke Robinson and Larne Patrick gave them an 18-12 interval lead.

Ryan Hall's score after the break brought Leeds back into it and further tries from Carl Ablett and Jamie Jones-Buchanan meant they took fifth spot ahead of the Dragons on points difference.

At the top, Warrington secured their first league leaders' shield since 1973 with an emphatic 34-12 defeat of Hull at the KC Stadium.

Australian brothers Joel and Michael Monaghan were both on the scoresheet for the rampant visitors who will face fourth-place Huddersfield, their conquerors last season, in the qualifying play-offs.

Wing Chris Riley also got two tries with Ryan Atkins and Chris Bridge also crossing for the Challenge Cup holders.

That result meant Wigan's 42-10 destruction of the Crusaders counted for nothing.

The Warriors ran in seven tries in total with Ryan Hoffman and former Sydney Rooster Brett Finch among the scorers.

That was the Crusaders' last game as Super League club and they had the ignominy of finishing bottom after Wakefield's 26-14 defeat of Bradford.

Finishing third bottom were Harlequins, who let slip an eight-point lead as Tom Armstrong ran in a hat-trick in St Helens' 34-16 victory at the Stoop.

Saints now face Wigan in the other qualifying play-off at the DW Stadium next weekend.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP