Willie Peters recalls lessons from 2024 as Hull KR players set task against improved Wigan Warriors

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has spoken on the lessons from the 2024 Grand Final loss and revealed what he’s asked of his players this time around.

Speaking pitchside at Old Trafford during the Grand Final media day earlier this week, Peters pointed to an area of the field where he felt his side had a particularly poor set, something they’d come to rue as Bevan French scored the only try of the game on Wigan’s next possession.

The Hull KR boss has noted previously that’s it’s not a case of ‘revenge’ as some have suggested with the Australian insisting that the notion of revenge means a focus on your opponents and not what your own team can do, and that narrative rang through once again as he was asked about the lessons of 2024.

“The first day we came back into training we reviewed it and there was key moments that we lost,” explained Peters

“There was a set that we had down here and we were in our shell. It was just before Bevan’s try and we played so conservative, Bevan didn’t make one tackle in that set, we didn’t ask any questions whatsoever and off the back of that, that’s when he goes and scores.”

Hull KR urged to be less conservative as Peters rues 2024 Grand Final errors

French’s try came midway through the first half and saw him break from halfway, slipping through the line before racing away face Niall Evalds to score the only try of the game.

The lesson for Peters was clear and that was the need to be less conservative and go after the game more.

“That said enough for me around where we were at and we were conservative,” Peters explained.

“This year, when we get opportunity, and I’m not saying we go and look for it on the first set we’re down there, but (we’re going to) at least have shape, and at least ask questions and we didn’t do that.

“That told me a lot about where we’re at and I told them to go express yourselves. If you’re going to go after something and you don’t achieve it, at least you’ve gone after it and know you’ve given your all.”

With his players urged to go after the game more and be brave in those moments, they’ve also been reminded to be smart. Harry Smith’s drop goal on the brink of half-time last year ensured they went into the sheds two scores down, as opposed to one.

Peters noted that as another area to learn from, adding: “I think before half time with the field goal. He’s a smart player (Harry Smith) and we need to be aware of him thinking about that.”

Since that Grand Final defeat, Hull KR have defeated Wigan and it came on the road in round 22 and whilst Peters admitted it was a boost and something that can be used, he was aware that the Robins will be taking on a different beast at Old Trafford.

Speaking bluntly, he said: “That was our most recent game so we’ll draw on that but no Bevan, no (Luke) Thompson, and they’ve improved.”

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