Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella has spoken on the impending exit of coach Willie Peters, whilst also looking ahead to life after rugby league by confirming his intent to go into punditry.
A day after watching his Hull KR side go through to the Challenge Cup semi-finals, Minchella was on punditry duty alongside St Helens’ Tristan Sailor for the clash between Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors, and it’s a role he can envisage himself doing in the future a lot more.
Asked by Serious About Rugby League if it’s a possible career path down the line, the 30-year-old admitted: “Looking at (life) after rugby league, it’s something I want to get into and actively try to get opportunities in the media. It’s something I really enjoy, it’s not tough work, it’s good. I really enjoy the game.
“I like watching games of rugby and obviously talking about it too so I really enjoyed being on on Sunday. It was a great game to watch and it’s something I’m actively looking at doing more of.
“As the year and years go on, I’d like to get more experience and start to do it more often.”
Minchella also explained how it can possibly offer a strategical advantage down the line, particularly in respect to the two teams he watched last weekend.
He explained: “I’ve not looked at Wakefield or Wigan with Hull KR this year but doing that on Sunday gives me some knowledge about their trends, what they’ve been good at, and what they’ve not been so good at.
“Doing that around the other professionals who are doing it like Jamie Peacock but also the backroom team, there are some really knowledgeable people there, I think it can only help to advance your knowledge of the game.
“When you come into work (at Hull KR), I guess you’re more prepared. I would encourage anybody to do it. To learn more about the game can only be positive for you and your game.”
“Nothing changes” for Hull KR despite Peters’ news
As well as addressing his own long-term future, Minchella spoke publicly for the first time since it was confirmed that head coach Willie Peters would be leaving Hull KR at the end of the season in order to take up an opportunity in the NRL.
Since that announcement, Hull KR have won two matches and they also heavily beat St Helens whilst unconfirmed reports had emerged about Peters’ exit.
Giving his overall thoughts on the Australian’s impending exit, Minchella said: “First of all, I think we’re all really pleased and proud for Willie. He deserves the opportunity and we back him.
“Everybody will be supporting the PNG Chiefs from afar when the time comes that he does take the job up.”
As for this season, he added: “The immediate is that nothing changes. We’re really focused on what we want to achieve and Willie has had that attitude as well, which has helped us as a playing group.
“People will read into that and whether we down tools or whatever but if anything, it’s been the complete opposite, which doesn’t surprise me.”
Jazz Tevaga’s sin-bin, Hull KR’s underrated star and very early Man of Steel candidates – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show.
