Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has spoken about the prospects of Mikey Lewis being crowned Man of Steel, labelling any recognition as 100% deserved.
Lewis has been central to much of the success at Hull KR this season with the half-back having the most try contributions in Super League, sitting third on the try-scoring charts with a whopping 19, whilst tied for the lead on assists at 24 alongside Leigh’s Lachlan Lam.
The Hull KR playmaker also leads Super League for points scored in what has been a truly incredible season and that saw him recognised at the weekend when he was announced as the Rugby League Writers and Broadcast Association Player of the Year.
He became the first ever Hull KR player to win it and he’s now chasing the accolade of becoming the first Man of Steel winner from Rovers since 1986.
Speaking in the club’s pre-match presser before they faced Warrington Wolves, when asked about the suggestion of Lewis picking up more individual awards, head coach Willie Peters was definite in his response.
“100% deserved,” Peters responded.
“In rugby league, you get what you deserve. It’s a saying that a lot of coaches go by as a team and as individuals as well.”
Why has Hull KR star Mikey Lewis improved so much in 2024?
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
He would then go on to explain exactly what Lewis has put into his game in order to deserve such recognition and reach such heights, particularly noting the 23-year-old’s off-field progress.
Peters explained: “Mikey has put a lot into his game in the past two seasons and I’ve said it before, it’s what he does off the field and the way he prepares for games now and just his maturity levels.”
The Robins coach would also speak about the element that Lewis has added to his game, namely kicking on the last play. In 2023, Hull KR had Jordan Abdull as one of the very best in-play kickers but his departure in January left big shoes to be filled, something Lewis has done admirably.
“He’s up there leading the try assists, he’s scored 19 tries for a half but what I’m loving about him is his defence and his last plays. His last plays, especially his long kicking game, have won us games this year.
“It was an area that we needed to work on. We lost a player early on in the year who had an exceptional kicking game so Mike had to work on that and he has. So he has.
“For me, he’s such an important part of what we do, not because of his individual brilliance, but because, as I say, his last plays and his management around that.”
Peters and Hull KR will need Lewis on his A-game on Friday night as Warrington Wolves head to Craven Park with the Robins looking to make their maiden Grand Final and the Wire their first since 2018.
