Hull KR have appointed Nathan Cayless as their head coach on a three-year contract from next season.<\/p>\n
The 48-year-old former New Zealand forward will replace Willie Peters<\/a> at the reigning Super League champions at the end of the campaign.<\/p>\n Peters announced in March that he would be leaving at the conclusion of 2026 to take over at new NRL side Papua New Guinea Chiefs.<\/p>\n Cayless has been coaching Parramatta Eels’ New South Wales Cup side and is also assistant coach of New Zealand.<\/p>\n “My rugby league coaching philosophy aligns with the hardworking, successful culture that exists at Hull KR,” he told the club website., external<\/a><\/p>\n “When chief executive Paul Lakin and I first spoke, we connected immediately via our alignment on the vision and philosophies required to produce sustained success on and off the field.”<\/p>\n Cayless spent his entire playing career with the Eels and made 259 appearances for them between 1998 and 2010.<\/p>\n He captained the side a club record 221 times and also skippered New Zealand to success in the 2008 World Cup final with victory over Australia.<\/p>\n “Nathan has been an outstanding servant of the Parramatta Eels and we are incredibly proud to see him earn this head coaching opportunity,” Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos said., external<\/a><\/p>\n “His work with our program has been invaluable, particularly in developing young players and preparing them for NRL football.”<\/p>\n Cayless will look to build on the superb work of Australian Peters.<\/p>\n The 47-year-old replaced compatriot Tony Smith at the end of the 2022 season and has turned the side from one looking to compete for a play-off place into world champions.<\/p>\n The Robins ended a 45-year wait for Challenge Cup success in June last year before going on to win both the League Leaders’ Shield and the Grand Final in a memorable campaign.<\/p>\n