Willie Peters is expecting anything but a friendly reception from English fans over the next few weeks.<\/p>\n
The Hull KR head coach and Kangaroos assistant was the toast of England rugby league a week ago after leading the Robins to their maiden Super League title. Now he\u2019s the enemy. <\/p>\n
Watch the 2025 Rugby League Ashes LIVE with no ad-breaks in play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n As a part of Kevin Walters\u2019 coaching staff, he\u2018ll be helping Australia formalise a game plan to beat an England side consisting mainly of Super League stars he\u2019s very familiar with.<\/p>\n \u201cI know what I\u2019m getting myself into. They will give it to me, there\u2019s no doubt,\u201d Peters told Code Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe fans are going to hate me over here, but that\u2019s alright. <\/p>\n \u201cThey will give it to me in London and they will give it to me up there (in Hull) but that\u2019s all part of rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n Three of Peters\u2019 Hull KR players are in the England squad, those being Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten and Joe Burgess.<\/p>\n However, Peters\u2019 allegiances lie with Australia and he\u2019ll be providing with all the intel he has of Lewis, Burgess and Litten.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not here not to win,\u201d Peters said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve already had people congratulate me, whether they\u2019re from KR or other clubs, but they can\u2019t wish me luck. What they do well over here is support their team, whether it\u2019s club footy or internationals.\u201d<\/p>\n SHIBASAKI SET TO MAKE KANGAROOS DEBUT<\/p>\n Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki is being tipped to win a spot in the Kangaroos\u2019 starting backline for the first Ashes Test against England at Wembley Stadium, capping a \u201ccrazy, crazy\u201d year.<\/p>\n 12 months ago, Shibasaki\u2019s rugby league career was in limbo having just finished a season playing for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup.<\/p>\n At the start of the year, he signed a train and trial deal with the Broncos. Against the odds, he parlayed that opportunity into a starting role in the star-studded Brisbane backline, a debut Origin appearance, a premiership and now the chance to represent his country. <\/p>\n According to Code Sports, Shibasaki and Broncos teammate Kotoni Staggs will be Australia\u2019s starting centres against England next Sunday morning (AEDT).<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a crazy, crazy season. It\u2019s been unreal,\u201d Shibasaki told Code Sports<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIf you told me last year I was going to the grand final this season I would have laughed, let alone making the Australian side.\u201d<\/p>\n Shibasaki isn\u2019t taking anything for granted amid his meteoric rise. <\/p>\n In Kangaroos camp, he made the stunning admission that if Michael Maguire and the Broncos didn\u2019t like what they saw in the pre-season, that likely would have been the end of his NRL career. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be back home (in Townsville) working in NDIS support for kids with disabilities who are less fortunate,\u201d Shibasaki said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not young anymore so it was all-or-nothing. If it didn\u2019t happen this year, there was nothing else after that.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew I had more in me when I was back home in Townsville working. I wanted another crack but knew I had to go all the way and it worked. <\/p>\n \u201cMadge (Maguire) was the right coach to do it with.\u201d<\/p>\n Shibasaki isn\u2019t the only player set to make their Kangaroos debut next weekend. <\/p>\n As per Code Sports, former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase will be named on the wing where he will be the latest cross-code star to represent his country in rugby union and rugby league. <\/p>\n Josh Addo-Carr is expected to win the other wing spot while Kevin Walters\u2019 starting back row is tipped to be Hudson Young, Angus Crichton and Isaah Yeo.<\/p>\n LIKELY KANGAROOS 17 FOR OPENING ASHES TEST (ACCORDING TO CODE SPORTS)<\/p>\n 1. Reece Walsh<\/p>\n 2. Josh Addo-Carr<\/p>\n 3. Kotoni Staggs<\/p>\n 4. Gehamat Shibasaki<\/p>\n 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase<\/p>\n 6. Cameron Munster<\/p>\n 7. Nathan Cleary<\/p>\n 8. Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui<\/p>\n 9. Harry Grant<\/p>\n 10. Pat Carrigan<\/p>\n 11. Hudson Young<\/p>\n 12. Angus Crichton<\/p>\n 13. Isaah Yeo<\/p>\n 14. Tom Dearden <\/p>\n 15. Keaon Kolomatangi<\/p>\n 16. Lindsay Collins<\/p>\n 17. Reuben Cotter<\/p>\n