Hull KR head coach Willie Peters is the latest Super League coach to call for a review of the competition’s schedule as the debate about player welfare rages on.
Speaking earlier in the week, both Matt Peet and Sam Burgess spoke about the need for players to be more protected amid a packed Super League schedule, with Burgess pointing to the NRL as an example to follow where each club has three byes per season.
The comments from Peet and Burgess came amidst the fact that game between Wigan and Warrington, one that should be a marquee match, will see over 15 first-team players out of action as injuries continue to mount for both clubs.
Whilst Hull KR have been generally healthy throughout the season, bar Arthur Mourgue, they have been hit hard in the pack of late and when asked about the suggestions from Peet and Burgess to add byes to ease the Super League schedule, Peters was well on board.
“I back that. There’s no doubt in the world.” the Australian said before revealing why some coaches may be wary to call out the schedule.
“I wasn’t aware that they spoke up about it, if I did and talk about our schedule, it looks like you’re sulking and whinging and carrying on about your own team.”
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Using his own side as an example, Peters explained that Hull KR and Warrington will have to play three games in a 10-day period later in the year as a result of the two sides being unable to meet in round two when Rovers played in the World Cup Challenge.
Peters said: “We talk about welfare of player but in a few weeks’ time, Warrington and ourselves are going to be asked to play three games in a week towards the back end of the season after they’ve had such a huge year.
“Therefore, there’s a high risk of injury. It’s a difficult part of the season. There’s no doubt. You need to have byes in the year.”
Come the end of the regular season, the Robins will have played 33 games in 31 weeks by merit of the fact they made it all the way to the Challenge Cup Final and contested the World Club Challenge.
On the season, Peters admitted: “It certainly has it’s toll on every single player and teams. It’s outrageous to think that players can play all season, play three games in a week towards the back end of the season and not have any injuries.
“At the end of the day, it’s about the product, isn’t it? It’s about making sure that we’ve got an entertaining product and we are entertaining. The way you do that is by making sure that you’ve got the right players playing and players that can entertain. You’re going to go into squad numbers of 29, 30, 31 when players aren’t ready and you’re playing youth way too early.
“We need to make sure going forward that changes because it’s a demanding schedule.”
