Willie Peters reflects on Eliminator defeat

Willie Peters admitted the Robins discipline ultimately proved costly as his remarkable four-year reign came to a disappointing end with a 35-12 defeat to Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League Eliminators.

He leaves as the most successful coach in the club’s history, having won every trophy available to him: the Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League title as part of a historic treble in 2025, before adding the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos in 2026.
But there would be no final piece of silverware for the Australian, with Warrington bringing Hull KR’s season – and Peters’ hugely successful tenure – to an end.

The Wolves led 12-6 at half-time before the contest swung decisively early in the second period when Peta Hiku was sent off. Warrington took advantage of their extra man to pull clear and secure their place in the Super League semi-finals.

“When you're down to 12, it makes it difficult, but we put ourselves in the game,” Peters said. “If we score down the other end, we go two points ahead, and then it gets the run of play they scored.

“We're always going to fatigue, and we did it at the back end of the game.”

“Peta’s been great for us for three years, so he knows it's probably the wrong thing, what he's done. But he's been outstanding for me for the last three years.”

“As I said, our discipline was what cost us a lot this year, and unfortunately tonight,” he said. “But I'm really proud of them. They kept fighting to the end.”

Peters arrived ahead of the 2023 season and transformed KR into trophy winners, and his emotional post-match reflections underlined how much the club has come to mean to him and his family.

“My family and I have had an absolute ball. Loved it over here. And we'll never forget our time at Hull KR,” he said.

“There's no doubt I felt the love off the fans and the players and vice versa.”

“There's no doubt this club is in a really, really strong position,” he said.

His final message to the players summed up the emotion of the occasion.

“Thank you for the memories. Thank you for, you know, the support they've given me. They've made me a better person, better coach.”