Hull KR head coach Willie Peters prepares for play-offs despite emotional farewell
Peters gears up for final matches before departing for PNG Hunters
Hull KR secured their place in the Betfred Super League play-offs with a resounding 36-6 victory over Huddersfield, marking an emotional final home game for head coach Willie Peters.
Despite the sentiment surrounding his departure, Peters emphasised his determination to focus on concluding his tenure with potential silverware before moving on to a new challenge with the PNG Hunters in the NRL next season.
Reflecting on the night, Peters said, “I don’t want to reflect now, I want to finish the job first, but there is no doubt that coming here tonight was emotional.”
Having confirmed their play-off position, Peters conducted a lap of honour alongside his players, acknowledging the fans at Craven Park.
Rovers had experienced three consecutive defeats but quickly dispelled any threat of missing out on the top six by scoring three early tries, setting a tone that carried them comfortably to victory.
Peters emphasised the necessity for reviving energy within his team, stating, “We needed to get some energy back. The energy for me has got to be non-negotiable. If you’re not energised for these kinds of games at this time of the year, you’re going to be out the back door pretty quick.”
Huddersfield head coach Jim Lenihan expressed his pride in his team's effort but voiced frustration over two incidents that led to injuries for Mathieu Cozza and Sam Halsall.
Cozza failed a head injury assessment after a hit by Sam Luckley, while Halsall sustained a potentially serious leg injury after a challenge by Jez Litten.
Lenihan commented, “I think the referee had a good game, but there were a couple of calls there that I shake my head at ... the video referee got a look, but as soon as he gets hit over the head with an arm we lose a man for the whole game.”
Halsall left Craven Park in a protective boot and awaits an X-ray to assess the damage. Lenihan added, “We’re going to get it looked at but it’s pretty bad. It’s not a good situation for him, the poor kid has had a lot of drama with his leg, so for that to happen, it’s certainly heart-breaking for him.”