Tanginoa left Craven Park to join Warrington Wolves in the off-season
Kelepi Tanginoa left Hull KR in the off-season
Hull KR will be coming up against Kelepi Tanginoa on Sunday for the first time since he left the club during the off-season.
Tanginoa played an important role during KR’s treble winning campaign, with the back-rower making 29 appearances last season and scoring six tries.
However, with his contract up in 2026, he made the decision to move to Warrington Wolves in the off-season, in a switch that caught many off guard.
The Australian has settled in well under the stewardship of Sam Burgess, playing that familiar role off the bench to great effect, and he managed to grab four tries in a single game back in round five as the Wolves hammered Castleford Tigers.
A place at Wembley awaits for the winner of Sunday’s game at the Eco-Power Stadium and he certainly won’t lack motivation as he bids to bring his former club’s trophy-winning run to an abrupt end.
KR, though, know all about the threat he carries and Willie Peters has now opened up on the circumstances that led to his exit.
“It was tough, but it was driven from Kelepi,” Peters said. “The club weren’t in a position to extend him and he wanted to secure his future.
“I’m a coach that, I look it, I talk about it with the player, talk about it with Paul Lakin and then we come to a decision of what’s best for both. There was one there that at his age, if he stayed here or if he didn’t get offered a contract, or that contract wasn’t there, then we’re not helping anyone.
“It was a discussion initiated initially by Kelepi, but he’s found his feet there and we’re happy for him. He’s a great person, great family and it’s good to see him enjoying his footy.”
On the prospect of coming up against him this weekend, Peters added: “Personally I’m glad I don’t have to face him, it’s not me.
“Kelepi played an important part here, we value him and he’s great mate of ours. He’s gone to Warrington and found his feet.
“Coming off the bench, I think he prefers that role and he does it really well. We know what we’re going to get from him but I’m just glad it’s them and not me.”