Hull KR boss Willie Peters addresses mounting NRL speculation
Willie Peters insists Hull KR remain his primary focus amid mounting speculation about his future.
The Australian has long been linked with a return to the NRL, where he served his coaching apprenticeship before taking over at Hull KR in late 2022.
His success with the Robins has not gone unnoticed Down Under, with former England international and current pundit James Graham viewing Peters as the "next cab off the rank" should a vacancy arise.
A separate report claims the KR boss – who has led the club to four trophies in the last nine months – is on a three-man shortlist, alongside Brad Arthur and Jason Demetriou, to head up the new PNG franchise.
Peters has previously expressed his interest in exploring the opportunity but right now he is only thinking about Saturday's clash with Catalans Dragons.
"I've said before that I've got a desire to coach in the NRL," he reiterated during Wednesday's press conference. "Nothing has changed there.
"But my sole focus is on what I'm doing now. I'm coaching Hull KR and my focus is on the players and staff here and making sure we're ready to go this weekend.
"I've openly said I've got a desire to go back (to the NRL) at some stage. I've no idea when that would be.
"All I'm focused on is doing the best job I can do at this club. I'll continue to do that."
Peters has been dealt an injury blow ahead of the trip to Perpignan after losing Rhyse Martin to a broken foot.
The goalkicking back-rower completed the Challenge Cup tie against Huddersfield Giants before discovering the extent of the issue.
"It's obviously disappointing for Rhyse and the club," said Peters.
"He played through it until the end of the game and thought it was okay. We sent him for scans and there's a break.
"It was incredible for him to play through that but unforunately he'll have some time on the sidelines now.
"He was just starting to find his groove. We're looking forward to him coming back in a month's time."
With Arthur Mourgue and Karl Lawton the only other senior players on the sidelines, Peters is not short of second-row options for the date with the Dragons.
"Dean (Hadley) can go there and we've got Batch (James Batchelor) coming back this week," said Peters. "We've used Jai Whitbread there and, of course, Tom (Whitehead).
"He put his hand up at the weekend. There were a couple of errors in his game but in terms of the areas that we value, I thought he did a reasonable job.
"There's no doubt he's going to play a part in our team this year."