The ex-England captain faced a similar situation in his career.
Sam Tomkins has made a big Hull KR prediction with Willie Peters set to leave the club at the end of the year.
Willie Peters’ impending Hull KR exit is only likely to fuel the squad’s motivation to send their influential head coach out on a high, according to former England captain Sam Tomkins, who experienced a similar situation in his own decorated career.
It has now been confirmed that 2026 will mark Peters’ final season at Sewell Group Craven Park, bringing an end to what will be a remarkable four-year spell in charge of the East Hull club.
The 47-year-old Australian is set to take the reins of the PNG Chiefs ahead of their inaugural NRL campaign in 2028, tasked with building the squad, culture and identity of the new franchise from the ground up.
Peters informed both his players and Hull KR officials of his decision earlier this week – and the response was emphatic, with the Robins recording a 52-10 victory over St Helens just 24 hours later.
According to former England, Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons star Tomkins, such news is unlikely to disrupt Hull KR’s momentum. Instead, he believes it will galvanise the group.
“I don’t think it derails this side at all,” the now Sky Sports pundit said.
“I was a player in a similar situation when Michael Maguire came to Wigan. He broke the drought – Wigan hadn’t won a Grand Final for 12 years – and we won it in 2010.
“Later, after a game at Craven Park, Michael Maguire came into the dressing room and told us it would be his last year.
“From that point, we knew what he had done for the club and we said we wanted to send him out with silverware and make sure he left as a winner.
“We went on to win the Challenge Cup, and I think that will be the mentality of this Hull KR side. Willie is going to leave, but they’ll want to ensure he finishes on the right terms.”