Hull KR star Peta Hiku has made clear his desire to sign a new deal at the club with the off-contract centre also revealing how players reacted to news of Willie Peters’ impending exit.
Peta Hiku signed with Hull KR ahead of the 2024 season making this the third and final year of his three-year deal, however, the New Zealand international is keen to stay on at Craven Park.
“There has been a bit of mention about it earlier on in the year,” Hiku said when asked if he’d held conversations about his future during a presser uploaded to the club’s YouTube channel.
He clarified that those chats had slowed down as attention turned to on-field performances, particularly after the club’s slow start to the season.
“I sort of wanted to focus and see how my body was going to get through the pre-season and obviously we had a bad start so I wanted to focus on my rugby a little bit more then we’ll go about it after that,” Hiku said, adding that he’d hope for a new deal to be ‘sorted out soon’.
“Hopefully soon so I can just be more focused on footy and not about what’s going to happen next year. Hopefully, it gets sorted out soon.”
Hiku would go even further than simply stating he would hope a new deal is arranged soon as he went on to express his love for Hull KR.
“Yeah, I love it at this club,” the Kiwi responded when asked if he wants to stay at Craven Park.
“I’ve enjoyed my three years here. Winning makes the game a lot more fun and that is what this club has been good at the last few years.
“Obviously, they’ve been building to get there and it’s good to be a part of, not only for the rugby but my family have been enjoying it. I take that into it.
“KR have made my family very happy and very welcome so it plays a big part in that.”
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Hull KR pushing to send Peters off on a high
Hiku was also asked about head coach Willie Peters, the man who brought him to Craven Park, leaving to coach in the NRL, an announcement that was met with applause for Peters.
The centre explained: “When he mentioned it, everyone applauded. For myself, I’m happy for him and his family.
“People have dreams where they want to get to and I think that’s what he is going for. I’m very happy and excited to see what he’s going to do over there.”
Peters’ exit could also have a galvanising effect on the group at Hull KR, with Hiku admitting: “That’s probably the perfect motivation for us to play on a higher level. He’s done so well for the club. He got me here and I’ve enjoyed it so it makes me want to send him (out on a high). I’ve had probably the best three years I’ve had so I would like to send him off in the best way possible.”
