Nathan Cayless looks set to win the race to become Hull KR’s next head coach, Hull Live understands.
The Robins cast their net far and wide in their hunt to find the ideal man to replace Willie Peters with over 15 candidates being spoken to by KR chief executive Paul Lakin during a long and rigorous recruitment process.
However, it seems they have found their man with Parramatta Eels assistant coach Cayless set to be handed the reins at Craven Park from next season.
The former New Zealand international is understood to have had a final interview with the Robins last week where he impressed with his vision for the club ahead of the departure of Willie Peters at the end of the campaign.
Cayless hasn’t put pen to paper just yet but it is thought a deal will be wrapped up imminently with Rovers keen to secure their next head coach and to make an announcement once the paperwork is finalised.
The 48-year-old has been a part of the Eels’ coaching staff since October 2022, where he has been working as an assistant within the first-team environment and as head coach of the club’s New South Wales Cup team.
Previously he has also spent time as an assistant with Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters, while he had a spell in the development programme at New Zealand Warriors. On top of that, he has held a number of roles within the New Zealand international set up and most recently worked as an assistant under Stacey Jones, returning to the Kiwis in 2024.
This would be Cayless’ first job as a senior head coach and having completed his apprenticeship as an assistant coach, he’ll be more than ready to step up and become Peters’ successor at Craven Park.
The job will also be Cayless’ first in rugby league away from the NRL and outside of Australia or New Zealand, but he will have a few familiar faces welcoming him to east Hull.
The former front-rower has worked with Peta Hiku on the international scene, while he is believed to have coached both Tom Amone and Karl Lawton at the start of their respective careers.
Cayless was born in Sydney but opted to represent his New Zealand heritage as a player and made 39 appearances for the Kiwis between 1998 and 2008. The forward stayed with the Eels, his local team, throughout his entire career, making 259 appearances and scoring 28 tries.