Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 18/09/2025 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 27 – Hull KR v Warrington Wolves – Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull, England – Hull KR’s coach Willie Peters thanks the fans and supporters after his side win the Betfred Super League leaders trophy.
PAUL Lakin insists there has been no approach for Willie Peters from any NRL clubs, but accepts the Hull KR head coach is likely to be a target in the future.
Australian media reported earlier this week the 46-year-old is on the radar of Manly Sea Eagles to take over from incumbent Anthony Seibold, and South Sydney Rabbitohs as eventual successor to Wayne Bennett.
Peters, who is aiming to complete a treble with the Robins in 2025 after guiding them to Betfred Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield triumphs, also turned down the chance to interview as Adam O’Brien’s replacement Newcastle Knights earlier this season, yet Hull KR chief executive Lakin denied there had been further contact from down under.
“[We’ve had] no conversations as it stands,” Lakin told BBC Radio Humberside.
“I’ve said before, we laughed about it in a very sensible way.
“Myself and Willie clearly talk a lot, he’ll be the first to tell me if there was any interest in terms of the NRL head coaching roles which were available.
“They’re all taken for next season, there isn’t any vacancies as it stands at the moment.”
“As it stands” and “at the moment” are the key phrases here, particularly as clubs may start to look elsewhere now the regular season is over for some and others fall by the wayside in the play-offs.
And while Seibold has been given public assurances he will remain in charge at Manly for 2026, his future beyond then is uncertain – particularly if the Sea Eagles fail to make the play-offs again next year.
Peters’ work at Hull KR over the past three seasons has seen him earn one appointment from his homeland after being named assistant to Australia head coach Kevin Walters for the upcoming three-match Ashes series in England.
Lakin sees it as a positive for Hull KR that their head coach is attracting attention from elsewhere, too.
“I think Willie is very happy here,” Lakin said. “More importantly, his family is happy here and yes, of course, I know one day he’ll want to go home.
“But I see it as the day an NRL club wants him, he’s done great work here and he’ll probably have done even better work.
“You have to look at things pragmatically sometimes and when people want members of your staff for doing great things, it means the club is in a great place.”