Hull KR have confirmed that Willie Peters will leave the club at the end of the season to take up an opportunity in the NRL.
Peters, who has been at the club since the start of the 2023 season, and over the past 12 months has led the Robins to Challenge Cup, League Leaders, Grand Final and World Club Challenge glory – making him one of the greatest coaches in the club’s history.
The Australian’s name has been heavily linked with various roles across the NRL for the past 12 months, and has been linked with the likes of Newcastle Knights, Manly Sea Eagles and the PNG Chiefs, who are still waiting to appoint a head coach ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2028.
Whilst his next role is yet to be confirmed, it is highly expected that Peters takes the head coach role of the Chiefs, which means that he will have a whole year to prepare his side for their first competitive game at the beginning of the 2028 season.
KR have released a statement to reveal the news, which reads:
“Hull KR can confirm that head coach Willie Peters will leave the Robins at the end of the 2026 season to take up an opportunity within the NRL.
“Willie will leave with the very best wishes of everyone at the club after four years of being the most successful coach in our modern history, taking us to the very pinnacle of the sport as World Champions.
“The club are also grateful to Willie for advance notice of his decision, which allows plenty of time for candidates to come forward and to assess all options.
“Developing world class talent that others wish to attract is part of the process of running an elite sports club, we see it as testament to the club and culture we are building that our people attract interest from around the world.”
“At the appropriate time, the club will acknowledge Willie’s immense contribution to the club in recent years. But for now, the full focus of the whole club remains on the 2026 season, where there is so much to achieve.”
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Willie Peters to leave Hull KR at season’s end
Also in the statement were comments from both Neil Hudgell, the club’s owner and Peters himself.
Hudgell said: “As the coach of the World Club Champions, he [Peters] deserves to go out on his terms, with our respect, appreciation, and best wishes.
“Willie Peters led us to the most successful season in the history of Hull Rugby League in 2025.
“For now, and for the rest of this year, he will continue to drive a culture that demands success.”
The departing KR boss added: “I’ve made no secret of my desire to coach in the NRL as the next step of my career, however it makes this decision no less difficult.
“I want to thank the board, the players and all at the staff at Sewell Group Craven Park for their support and commitment during four wonderful years where I have developed as a coach and as a person.
“I’d also like to thank the best fans in the world for taking me and my family in since our arrival. Hull KR and the East Hull community will forever be in our hearts.
“The job is not done, I am fully committed to what’s ahead which continues this week in preparing the players for the Hull Derby this Friday.
“Our goal is always to make our community proud and we aim to do that each and every week.”
