After much speculation, Hull KR boss Willie Peters has now been formally confirmed as the coach of incoming NRL side PNG Chiefs.
Hull KR confirmed on Sunday morning that Peters would leave the club at the end of the 2026 season to take up an NRL role and the Chiefs have now formally announced the Australian as their first head coach.
Peters was a man in demand with the Robins coach previously refusing to interview for the Newcastle Knights job, whilst he was also thought to be high on the shortlist for the vacant England head coach position.
His new role has now been confirmed with PNG Chiefs General Manager of Football, Michael Chammas, stating why Peters was such an important appointment for the club.
“This is one of the most important decisions we will make as a franchise. Willie wasn’t just available – he was in demand,” Chammas explained on NRL.com.
“The fact that he chose the PNG Chiefs, chose this challenge, and chose this country says everything about the kind of man and coach he is. He understands what this means – not just for rugby league, but for an entire nation.”
Hull KR boss Willie Peters confirmed as new PNG Chiefs’ coach
Chammas pointed to Peters’ success at Hull KR as one of the key reasons behind his appointment to the Chiefs, highlighting the 2025 treble-winning campaign,
The General Manager said: “He has done that incredibly at Hull KR, last year producing the most successful season in the club’s history by winning everything on offer. He will also do that for Papua New Guinea, where the connection between this club and its people will be everything.”
“While we’re excited for Willie to join the club later in the year, we respect the role he still has to play in leading Hull KR to hopefully another title. We wish him and the Robins all the best for the rest of the season.”
On his appointment, the Australian said: “I believe that what we build with the PNG Chiefs can change the lives of Papua New Guineans for generations to come. Not many coaches get an opportunity like that. This opportunity transcends rugby league.
“I have enormous respect for the vision Prime Minister James Marape has for his country and what he believes the PNG Chiefs can mean for his people. That moved me and my family.
“I want to honour that vision. I want to be worthy of the faith the NRL and the Chiefs have placed in me, and I want to deliver something that makes every Papua New Guinean proud.”
Peters also underlined that he still has a role to play at Hull KR, starting this week with the derby against rivals Hull FC.
He said: “The job is not done. I am fully committed to what’s ahead which continues this week in preparing the players for the Hull Derby this Friday.”
Eric T Cat
March 30, 2026 at 3:53 pm
So, he’s going, who to replace him with? The popular move is an assistant coach from the NRL, Jason Taylor perhaps? But my suggestion is a NSW Cup Coach, a former Rovers player, maybe the right man to spark the next stage of development, Michael Dobson at the Newcastle Knights. Maybe get him in now, so he”st the bulk of the season to bed. Into the role, be making decisions for 2027 from within the club environment. Thatks my suggestion, but I’d love to hear others ideas on who, especially why. I read a comment on the BBC suggesting Matt Peet of all candidates!