Hull KR boss pays tribute to and predicts success for departing star

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has paid tribute to one of the club’s most significant departees ahead of their clash with Leeds Rhinos.

Yesterday, the Robins confirmed that they will bid farewell to eleven members of their first-team squad with one of the most notable names being Ryan Hall who will return for a swansong with his former club and Friday night’s opponents Leeds Rhinos.

One of the other former Rhinos in the Hull KR team is Matt Parcell and head coach Willie Peters has paid tribute to the hooker ahead of his departure with it looking likely that Parcell will return home and retire unless an NRL opportunity arises.

Speaking to the media ahead of their clash with Leeds Rhinos, Peters spoke on the impact of Parcell during his time at Hull KR: “He’s made a huge contribution, especially at the time that I’ve been here, but obviously before that as well. He’s a valued member of our team and he’s worked his way back in this year to start at hooker.”

Parcell’s form has been so good that he’s usurped England international Jez Litten as the starting nine for Hull KR and that upturn in form led some to believe that Parcell would play on, something that now looks unlikely.

On Parcell’s resurgence, Peters noted: “As I’ve always said, we’ve got two very good hookers. Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep Matty next year, salary cap and things like that. We wanted to but as I say, we’ve got two really good hookers and we wish him all the best. No matter what he does, he’s going to be a success.”

Hull KR star “certainly good enough to go around again”

Parcell also spoke to the media and explained that he had only intended to remain in England should a new deal at Hull KR arise, something Peters had confirmed to him wouldn’t be happening early in the year on account of quota spots and salary cap.

It means Super League will see one of its premier nines retire while in brilliant form but Peters is assured that the 32-year-old Parcell could play on if he wanted to.

“No shadow of a doubt he can go round again,” was the Hull KR boss’ forthright response when asked if he believed Parcell could physically take to the field in 2025.

“Yeah, of course he could. It’s purely around the salary cap and things like that and decisions around certain positions and the need to strengthen certain positions as to why Matty’s not here.

“It was more so his decision late last year that he decided that was more than likely going to be his last year. So we knew well in advance and then we had to start planning off the back of that. So that’s how it all started.

“He may go around again. He’s certainly good enough to go around again, that’s for sure.”

Peters spoke more on what the future might hold and what a pleasure it had been to coach the former Leeds Rhinos man with the duo intent on lifting silverware at Old Trafford later this season.

The Hull KR boss said: “He’s an intelligent guy and he’s got a great family, a young family. Whatever he does post-rugby league, if that’s what he decides to do at the moment, then he’ll be a success. He may play on, but that’s something that he’ll decide later on.

“I dealt with Matty years ago when I was at Manly, it was only a short period. I knew Matty before I came, we had some good conversations before I arrived. He’s a senior player, he’s got his own thoughts on the way the game is and we share similar thoughts and ideas.”