It begins: Hull KR’s mastermind already dubbed ‘next NRL coach-in-waiting’

Somewhere in Hull, England, triumphant world champions Hull KR are likely still celebrating their nailbiting 30–24 victory over the star-studded Broncos — but that hasn’t stopped Willie Peters from being linked to NRL gigs.

Peters was nearly immediately dubbed “the NRL’s next man up” on Friday morning after masterminding an incredible victory over Australia’s best NRL team in the World Club Challenge, which ices a historic English quadruple after Hull KR were crowned Super League champs for the very first time, alongside Leaders Trophy and Challenge Cup victories.

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It’s no great surprise that the 46-year-old is catching this buzz today, especially after he came close to grabbing the Newcastle top job last season and was only beaten to the punch by proven Holbrook. Other NRL teams have been keeping a close eye on him, too, The Sporting Base understands, and have been charting his progress since his 2023 signing.

Some of the many reasons Peters could cut his teeth in the NRL come over the last week (and let’s forget the trophies he’s hauled in for a tick; they’re pretty good arguments, too). Just a week ago, the rugby league world was writing Hull KR off against the Broncos because lower-levelled York had pipped Peters’ team to the post in the Super League opening round, 19–18.

It could have derailed the World Club Challenge for Hull. Instead, Peters turned it into glory.

“We used last week as motivation for us, because York, they didn’t fear us,” Peters said.

“I’m sure they respected what we did last year, but they thought they could win, and they went out and did that. We spoke about that this week… We were the underdogs. Not many people thought we could win.

“So we wanted to use what [York] did against us [against Brisbane].”

The victorious Hull KR coach continued: “We were beaten fair and square last week. The disappointing part when you lose is if you’re not yourself for 80 minutes, and we weren’t. Tonight, we still were. They’re a very, very good team, and we knew they’d come back. I just wanted to see us again tonight, and I’m really happy that we produced that.”

Hull KR now head to Allegiant Stadium to take on Leeds in next week’s Rugby League in Las Vegas festival. The NRL’s Cowboys, Knights, Bulldogs, and Dragons will also be in attendance — and some club bosses may be watching closely.

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The Dragons, Cowboys, and Knights, especially, are all predicted to be around the bottom of the 2026 standings, with Shane Flanagan, Todd Payten, and new coach Justin Holbrook among the shortest odds for the sack in the season. Should that axe swing – though that would likely only happen quite early on for Payten – any of those clubs may chase Peters.

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Right now, the Australian is signed to a four-year contract that will keep him in Hull until at least the end of the 2028 Super League season, so any NRL team wanting to bring him home early would have to pay a decent release fee.

Considering how well he’s already done, though, it may well be worth the coin, and then some.