Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has seen his name floated for the Newcastle Knights job and there’s now been a major update from his agent.
Peters is the reigning Super League coach of the year and he’s certainly in contention to reclaim that crown given the incredible season that Hull KR are having, with the Robins looking likely to wrap up the League Leaders Shield either this weekend or next.
They’ve also ended their trophy drought with Peters guiding them to Challenge Cup success and they remain the strong favourites for a first-ever Super League Grand Final, and the prospect of winning that is one of the key reasons why Willie Peters will not be applying for the vacant Newcastle Knights job.
Peters has connections with the Knights and after Adam O’Brien was sacked as club head coach, the Hull KR coach was among those touted for the job. However, his agent has now come out and categorically stated that Peters will not apply, but would consider the role should the Knights approach him.
Hull KR boss won’t interview for Newcastle Knights job unless…
It’s hard to decipher if it is good or bad news for the Robins. Peters has clearly put his focus on Hull KR and is unwilling to take part in any interview and application process against a number of other candidates, including former Hull KR playmaker Blake Green.
But Braith Anasta, Peters’ agent, explained on Fox League’s NRL360 that it would be “very different” if the Knights directly approached Peters, something he confirmed had not happened.
However, he noted that Peters has been invited to apply, explaining: “With Willie, we have been talking about it because they have asked us to apply.”
The good news for Hull KR fans is that Anasta confirmed that Peters is unlikely to apply, as he stated: “We don’t think we are going to apply. I think if you actually do your research on Willie and looked at what he has done over there, you talk about credentials — you can’t compare them.
“He has taken a team from last to first, won coach of the year last year, he is going to get coach of the year this year, they are coming first, they are four points from second.”
Hull KR had actually finished in the play-offs the year before Peters took charge but it is undeniable the transformation that he has overseen in just under three seasons, and with a Grand Final potentially on the horizon, he has no plans to distract from the job in hand,
Anasta explained: “There is not much more you can do. He is their head coach …. And he is competing against assistant coaches. For him and where he is right now, he is a chance of winning Super League this year.
“Us going through a process where we don’t know where we are going to land, with a number of candidates, can distract the process of winning a premiership back there and we just don’t think it is worth it.”
As referenced before, Anasta did explain it to be “very different” if Newcastle come knocking but it’s unclear if they hold that intent given other candidates include Justin Holbrook, Brian McDermott and former Robins half Blake Green.
