Everything you need to know about Hull KR’s head coach search as process approaches a conclusion

Need to know

Rovers have been looking for Willie Peters’ successor since the head coach announced he would be joining Papua New Guinea Chiefs

Seven things you need to know about Hull KR’s head coach search as process approaches a conclusion

• Peters’ departure : Willie Peters announced that he would be leaving Hull KR on March 29, with the Australian set to take charge of Papua New Guinea Chiefs at the end of the current season. It has also been confirmed that Rhyse Martin will be hanging up his boots and joining him at the Chiefs as a member of the off-field staff.
• Summer date: Rovers aren’t putting pressure on themselves in their bid to find Peters’ successor and Paul Lakin purposefully hasn’t set a date or a deadline for an appointment to be made. However, speaking ahead of the Challenge Cup final, the CEO did express a desire to make an announcement in June.
• Gardiner ruled out: Reports emerged down under earlier this month suggesting Samoa boss and Perth Bears assistant Ben Gardiner had turned the job down. Gardiner is someone KR have spoken to about the job and he is no longer considered a candidate but it is understood that reports of the role being officially offered to him were wide of the mark.
• Far and wide: The Robins have spoken to candidates on both sides of the world with a series of coaches from England and abroad being considered. In fact, Hull Live understands that more than 15 coaches have been spoken to, either formally or informally with the market being well and truly scoured.
• State of play: KR were down to their final two or three candidates at the end of May and we are now thought to be in the last stage of the process as they look to find their right man. It’s a decision that won’t be rushed but equally, the club will be keen to start planning for the next step and beyond.
• Recruitment implications: KR have signed two youngsters in Ryan Westerman and Flynn Holden recently, but recruitment won’t begin in earnest until a new head coach is in place. KR don’t have too much space to fill for next season, but Rhyse Martin’s decision to retire leaves space and the new head coach may be keen to utilise it by making his mark on the squad.
• Fishing in a different pond: One thing that needs to be considered in all of this is that KR are looking for a new head coach in a different market to what they have utilised in the past. Willie Peters was appointed with KR in midtable, but they are recruiting now as the reigning champions of England and the World Club Challenge title holders. As such, they are looking for someone who can follow on from Peters and keep them at the top level, which isn’t a position clubs often find themselves in.