Hull KR

Assessing what Willie Peters’ latest comments mean for off-contract Hull KR star

by
Sam Cook
May 27, 2025

Willie Peters has given a glowing review of one of the club’s off-contract stars, labelling them as “massive for our team” in comments that will catch the attention of Hull KR fans.

Hull KR are one of the few teams in Super League who have minimal players off-contract at the end of the 2025 season with the Robins currently boasting just six.

One of those is Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who it has been confirmed will retire at the end of the year, whilst another is veteran hooker Micky McIlorum, who has appeared to indicate he’s only at Craven Park for one year.

Another of the high-profile players on the off-contract list is Tyrone May, the playmaker who has previously made clear his intention to play with his brothers.

Willie Peters spoke earlier in the year with Serious About Rugby League and referenced May’s NRL aspirations and his dream of playing alongside brothers Terrell (Wests Tigers) and Taylan (unattached), but on the back of recent performances, Hull KR might be taking another look and attempting to extend the playmaker’s deal.

Off-contract Hull KR man “massive for our team”, claims Peters

After a number of eye-catching performances in recent weeks, Peters was asked about Tyrone May and the Australian gave his number seven huge raps.

“He’s massive for our team,” responded the Hull KR boss.

“I think all you need to do is have a look at last year, when you go through our tries and go two or three plays ahead, a lot of it is in and around Tyrone May.

“He creates a lot of space for Mikey, creates a lot of space for his outside men, and he’s the one organising everything in our attack. So he’s a massive part to what we do, and we value him a lot.”

Peters also addressed the fact that May is finally getting his flowers, stating: “He played well on the weekend. It’s good to see that he’s getting recognised.

“He made the team of the week, and he is getting recognised for that because a lot of the time it might be the person that’s thrown the last pass or the person that scores a try, but there’s a lot going on in and around Tyrone leading into that.”

Far from a declaration that Hull KR intend to tie May down to a new contract, they are comments worth noting, especially after club CEO Paul Lakin’s admission that the Robins are still talking with May meaning the door hasn’t been shut on him extending his stay.

What Hull KR’s CEO said about Tyrone May

Speaking to Serious About Rugby League in and around the club’s Las Vegas launch, Lakin confirmed: “We’re undecided,” when asked about the role alongside Mikey Lewis for 2206.

“We’re talking, Tyrone and ourselves are talking and we’re looking at options.

“I suppose the answer is nothing has changed from your conversation with Willie. We do need to look to conclude this probably in the next three to four weeks and that’s the intentions of all parties, whether Tyrone stays or he moves on at the end of the year and we secure the right replacement.

“It’s top of mind at the moment in terms of the final piece in the jigsaw, but genuinely it’s to be decided.

“It’s fair to say we are (making enquiries) but we have open dialogue with Tyrone too. We’re looking at all our options at the moment but if there’s a final piece of the jigsaw to resolve for the 2026 squad then that’s the piece we need to resolve and we’ll look to do that in the next three or four weeks.”

One thing that could impact Hull KR’s plans is that May is a known quantity, he’s proven his quality with Catalans and at Craven Park. There could be far worse options than retaining him and going again in 2026 with the established spine of Mourgue, Lewis, May and Litten.