Hull KR and Wigan Warriors continue to meet on the biggest stage
Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet with Hull KR head coach Willie Peters(Image: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)
Matt Peet was right about Hull KR and the rivalry that would unfold with Wigan Warriors as Rovers developed under Willie Peters.
The Wigan boss made that prediction a couple of years ago but Peters still remembers it well as the moment that he really realised his Robins side were on the right track.
Since then the two sides have met in two Super League Grand Finals, with the score being one win apiece, and a new chapter of the rivalry will be written over the next 10 days as they play out a double-header which culminates at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final.
The first instalment of that duology comes on Thursday evening when Rovers host the Cherry and Whites at Craven Park, with Peters relishing the thought of going head to head with the Warriors once more.
“I remember Matt said, it was probably the biggest compliment at the time, he said after one of the games that he was looking forward to this rivalry in terms of playing against us in big games,” Peters said.
“That was the first time I thought that we are going somewhere as a club if someone like Matt, the Wigan head coach, to say that to us, ‘yeah, we are making strides’.
“Sure enough, he was right. We’ve played against Wigan now in two Super League Grand Finals and now in the Challenge Cup which is great.
“I said it after the semi, there’s a respect there from both clubs, but it’s a healthy rivalry because we seem to playing in the major games. I won’t complain about that, it’s where we want to be.”
Rovers won’t be overlooking the challenge Thursday’s game presents, but they have the opportunity to pick up a fifth trophy in 12 months next weekend as they look to create something of a dynasty.
Asked how KR plan to become serial winners, Peters added: “Win next week. Win Thursday. The best teams keep winning and it’s as simple as that.
“Everyone is in it to win games and competitions. I made that clear when I first started that that’s what we want to be doing as a club.”