Willie Peters has questioned the timing of the decision to extend Super League’s quota allowance from seven spots to 10 ahead of the 2026 season, with Hull KR all but settled on next year’s recruitment.
The new rulings regarding non-federation trained players were announced earlier this week. Clubs can now sign up to 10 overseas players, allowing for some extra opportunities across the competition.
However, the changes offer little immediate benefit to Hull KR, who are already well advanced in their recruitment plans and have little salary cap space available.
Rovers have secured former Super League Dream Team prop Tom Amone on a three-year deal from 2026, as a replacement for the outgoing Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Jumah Sambou has also signed a three-year contract from Oldham, while Connor Wynne is expected to join the club next year. Tyrone May re-signed last month on a two-year extension, and 2026 targets Arthur Mourgue and Noah Booth arrived at the club earlier than expected.
“I think it all depends on your situation. I think with things like that, you need to be given notice. We’re a pretty organised club – we do our recruitment early, so we’re organised,” Peters said.
“Then you get that sort of put on you – we’ve got none [salary cap] sort of left. So it doesn’t help us, but I’m certain other clubs will be going, ‘Yes, it’s great.’
“I think if they’re going to bring it in, then you need to give ample time to be able to organise yourself because as I said, we’re sort of getting hindered if we did want to bring other people in from being organised.”
Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet previously suggested that the rule change is “certainly more geared towards clubs with less productive academies.”
Peters also weighed up the pros and cons of the change, while acknowledging the need to improve Hull KR’s own youth development.
The Hull KR boss added: “At the end of the day, you’ll have its pros and cons. Obviously bringing in too many overseas players, does that then hinder the local English players? There’s going to be pros and cons to it.
“I think eventually, it’ll be good – there’s no doubt about that. You’re going to get some players come over that aren’t getting an opportunity over there [NRL], but could certainly play.
“There’s a number of players that have gone on to do that – Tom Amone, Bevan French and Jai Field, guys like that who probably weren’t getting the game time they wanted. They’ve come over here and excelled, so there’s no doubt we’ll get them as well.”
Still, Peters reaffirmed the club’s long-term focus on producing homegrown talent.
He added: “I think long-term, most clubs are wanting to bring in as many juniors as possible, and we’re no different.
“We need to improve our pathways and bring more of our juniors through. I think most clubs, and we certainly do down the track, always want to promote within.”