Willie Peters spell as Hull KR head coach came to an end on Saturday night at Warrington
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters hugs Sauaso Sue following the conclusion of his final game in charge(Image: SW Pix)
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has opened up on what he said in his final messages to his Hull KR players and staff in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat to Warrington Wolves.
The Robins’ season came to an end at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as they were beaten 35-12 by Sam Burgess’ side who are now within 80 minutes of reaching the Super League Grand Final.
The loss ended any hopes of Rovers being able to retain the title they won last season, but also brought the curtain down on Peters’ four years at the Craven Park helm as he prepares to return to the NRL and take charge of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.
It was certainly an emotional occasion then, with Rhyse Martin, Joe Burgess and a handful of other players and staff members moving on, too.
But, as the dust settles on KR’s season, Peters has shared what he said in those final moments to the players and staff that have served him so wonderfully.
“Mainly after the game I suppose it was just more thanking them from me personally,” Peters told Hull Live. “The message to the group going forward was just about how there’s an identity about this team, and the way they play, and what they’re about. So it’s important that they maintain that.
“The success and the highs that we’ve had, just keep chasing those because it’s within this team to be able to get that again next year.
“Mainly it was around, as I said, the identity of this team and what they’re about, make sure that they maintain that.”
He added: “I went round to them [individually]. I’m not doing the reviews, that will be more so around the coaches that are there next year. So in terms of feedback that’s with Nathan and the current staff that will be there next year.
“Naturally I had some moments with individuals after the game, but it all happened pretty quickly.
“For me, it’s not going to be goodbye, especially with the group that we had the treble with. Those relationships you’d like to think last a lifetime. You have reunions and those sort of things.
“The players know and the staff know that I’m only a phone call away, and that’s more so as a friend, more than anything. They can contact me and I want them to contact me to stay in touch. Not so much from a playing point of view or anything like that, it’s more just as a friend.”