Mikey Lewis’ biggest improvement pinpointed as Hull KR coach hailed

Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has given his verdict on Hull KR duo Mikey Lewis and Willie Peters winning Player and Manager of the Month.

Hull KR arguably had their biggest disappointment of the season in the first game of September, losing to Wigan Warriors and probably losing the League Leaders’ Shield, although that could still change.

However, August was excellent, winning five out of five games, and only conceding more than six points once.

They also scored over 30 points in all but one of those games, and they seemed to have put themselves in prime position to win some silverware.

Jon Wilkin explains why Hull KR duo won key Super League awards

They were rewarded with the Super League Player and Manager of the Month, and speaking on Sky Sports’ The Verdict, Wilkin said: “Well, I think in Mikey Lewis, we’ve got genuinely one of the most exciting players in our competition.

“We go around the country, we watch games of rugby league and I’m always excited to watch him play.

“We’re an entertainment business at the end of the day and Mikey entertains me a great deal with what he does. I think there’s been a consistency as Willie referenced this year, but also patience to his game.”

He continued: “People may think you get Player of the Month for what you do with the ball and how you attack.

“I think the biggest growth in Mikey Lewis has been his effort and defensive efforts that are just second to none. The try-saving and big tackles on big men, which he’s done incredibly well all year and just been squeaky clean.”

Willie Peters, snubbed last season for Coach of the Year, has continued some great work in 2024, and Wilkin said: “Now for Willie Peters, he won’t want this (Coach of the Month award) because I know what sort of guy he is and he won’t be wanting these two to be getting pats on the back now because there’s big games to come.

“But Willie Peters has got his team dialled in to what’s important, to the details that matter, to the things that in any successful team I’ve played in have valued and held high in what’s important for them.

“He has transformed this team to be a defensive machine that works together, that is committed and that fights for every single inch in every single game and that’s what’s impressed me about Willie Peters.”