Maiden run: Peters tells Hull KR he’s leaving to take up PNG Chiefs coach gig

Willie Peters has told Hull KR management and his playing group that he’s leaving to take up an NRL coaching gig, with the champion Super League helmsman to lead Papua New Guinea in its inaugural rugby league campaign.

The 47-year-old has been at Hull KR for the last four seasons, leading the Super League powerhouse to a historic win over the Broncos in February’s World Club Challenge and sealing an incredible trophy quadruple in the process.

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Peters has long been seen as “next man up” when it came to NRL coaching, and it looks like he’s finally found a gig ⁠— as the commander at the NRL’s 19th side for its maiden run. He’s never coached in the NRL before, but his plaudits and achievements in England helped him beat out the likes of Brad Arthur, Adrian Lam, and Jason Demetriou.

Only last month, Peters declared he was “ready to go” when it came to an Aussie job. “The only way you can show that is by getting an opportunity in the NRL and proving yourself. I’ve always been the type of person who lets my actions do the talking,” he said.

“My family and I have really enjoyed being over here, but if the opportunity arises, I’ll certainly look at the NRL. It would be great to prove myself back in the NRL at some stage,” the 47-year-old continued back in February.

He also singled out the Chiefs as an opportunity he would love to take up (and now has). “It’s a unique opportunity,” the Super League boss explained, “because it’s a team where you can create the culture and DNA of a club for many years.

“Setting up the culture of PNG would excite me. Connection and care are the two values that I hold really closely to any team that I coach, and it’s what I value.”

Peters will start work with the Chiefs’ recruitment team once the 2026 U.K. season closes out in October.

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Peters’ PNG move isn’t the only coaching appointment we’ve seen in the 48 hours, either. Manly, who have started the year 0–3 and are already risking sliding into a spoon battle, just sacked head coach Anthony Seibold yesterday.

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Within 24 hours, much-loved past player Keiran Foran was named as interim coach for the remainder of the 2026 season. He previously played nearly 200 games for the club between 2009 and 2022, and has been working as an assistant under Seibold. This will be his first time leading a club at the highest level after retiring at the end of last year.

Foran’s first game in charge will come next Thursday, when Manly takes on Redcliffe.