Hull KR’s title winner Willie Peters rated the next big thing ready to take NRL coaching by storm

He delivered Hull KR’s first trophy in 45 years and has them on track for a premiership. Former Souths star Willie Peters is making waves in the Super League and is ready for the NRL.

He is the one-time South Sydney prodigy banging down the door of NRL coaching.

Pint-sized Willie Peters is making huge strides after a history-making transformation of Hull KR that has him being hailed the next big thing in NRL coaching.

His manager, former NSW Origin and Test star Braith Anasta, believes the 46-year-old would be the perfect option to preside over a similar rebuild of the Titans if the Gold Coast sack Des Hasler.

Having cut his teeth under supercoach Wayne Bennett, Peters has rocketed into contention for an NRL job after turning the English battlers into a Super League premiership force over the past two years.

Standing 166cm, one centimetre taller than Broncos icon Allan Langer, Peters has forged a colossal reputation in England with his talismanic exploits at Hull KR.

Hull KR coach Willie Peters

Last month, Peters delivered Hull KR’s first trophy in 45 years with an 8-6 defeat of Sam Burgess’ Warrington in the Challenge Cup final.

And the Robins are currently top of the Super League with a 20-2 record, on track for their first premiership since 1984-85.

Anasta has been coached by some of the code’s greatest coaches, including Phil Gould and Craig Bellamy, and has no doubt Peters is ready to take charge of the Titans or any NRL club.

“I really do believe Willie is ready to coach in the NRL,” said 288-game great and premiership winner Anasta.

“Just watching what he has done with Hull KR is extraordinary.

“If the Titans job became available, I would certainly think Willie would be ready for that job.

“When you look at Hull KR, they were in a similar position to the Titans, he has taken a struggling, low-profile club in need of a freshen up and turned them into a winning club.

Willie Peters savours Hull KR’s first Challenge Cup trophy in 45 years last month.

“The Titans are the type of club that would appeal to Willie, but we’ve had no talks with any NRL club at this stage.

“If a job comes up in the NRL, he will certainly be open to coming home to Australia.

“His work ethic, desire and drive is next level. He is a winner. Now that he has transformed Hull KR into a successful team, he can succeed at any club.

“I have had many types of coaches during my career and Willie is cut out for it, he will be amazing wherever he ends up.”

Peters is loving life at Hull KR and the Robins are so happy with the former Rabbitohs halfback he was handed a four-year extension until the end of 2028.

But Super League clubs are mindful of Australian coaches’ ambitions and Hull KR are unlikely to stand in Peters’ way if he gets a shot in the NRL.

Willie Peters (right) cut his teeth under super coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

Since taking charge of Hull KR, Peters has won 64 of 87 games for a brilliant success rate of 73.5 per cent and he steered the Robins to a Super League grand-final loss last year.

Now Peters is hoping to go one better with a premiership and hopes title glory at Hull KR is a stepping stone to his dream of coaching in the NRL.

“I’m very lucky to be at such a great club,” said Peters, who played 76 NRL games with Souths and the Dragons between 1997-2004 before moving into coaching.

“The people of East Hull have been waiting a very long time for a trophy so to be part of what we did at Wembley will be a memory I’ll have for a lifetime.

“I have a very hard-working playing group and staff who I value very much. Their hard work was rewarded.

Peters’ manager Braith Anasta (left) says the rookie coach is ready for the NRL. Picture: The Sunday Telegraph/ Monique Harmer

“I have deliberately taken my time and coached every grade in the junior pathways, which not many coaches do.

“I’ve taken the hard route but been deliberate about it so I can learn and develop to be ready for the next level of coaching.

“I knew I was ready on each occasion because I took my time.

“When the time is right to coach in the NRL, I’ll be ready.”

Peters has been a lower grade coach at the Tigers, Manly and Newcastle and was an assistant to Bennett at Souths in 2019.

“Having a feel for players and people is a massive part of rugby league,” Peters said.

“You’ve either got that feel for people or you don’t and there’s none better than Wayne in terms of understanding the player.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work with some very good coaches, so I feel I’ve done my apprenticeship.”

Originally published as Hull KR’s title winner Willie Peters rated the next big thing ready to take NRL coaching by storm