Hull KR’s incoming head coach, Nathan Cayless, has been given a glowing reference by a former boss and future rival.
Cayless will take over the Robins hot seat at the end of this season when current gaffer Willie Peters leaves to join new club Papua New Guinea Chiefs ahead of their entry into the southern hemisphere NRL in 2028.
A former New Zealand Test captain, Cayless spent his entire playing career with Parramatta Eels and later had two spells on the backroom staff there under current Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur.
The Robins visit Headingley this evening for their first game since Cayless’ appointment was announced earlier this week. Arthur described the 48-year-old, who will remain in Australia for the rest of this season, as “a really good bloke and a good coach”.
The Leeds man recalled: “He was there at Parramatta for a couple of years, then Wests Tigers for a bit under Madge [Michael Maguire], and then he came back as our reserve grade coach and did a good job.
“He’s good with the young guys, and he will be a handy addition to Hull KR. It’s a big job to come into after the success that Willie’s had, but I am sure they are more than confident in him.”
Hull KR have won every possible honour under Peters, completing the treble of Challenge Cup, Super League leaders’ shield and Grand Final trophy last term and adding the World Club Challenge title earlier this year.
Cayless didn’t speak to Arthur before accepting the job and the Rhinos boss said: “I’ll chat to him now it’s all done and dusted and when he gets here next year.
“But he didn’t reach out, and I wouldn’t expect he would. Those discussions are confidential, and I am sure he knows what he is doing. He is a really good bloke and a good coach.”
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