Hull KR boss Willie Peters reacts to World Club Challenge success as he details Dean Hadley heroics
Willie Peters insists Hull KR were worthy winners after surviving a scare to defeat Brisbane Broncos in a thrilling World Club Challenge.
The Robins appeared to be coasting to victory at 30-4 with 20 minutes remaining, only for Brisbane to score four unanswered tries in a frenetic finish.
Rovers dug deep to hold on and complete the set of trophies following last year's remarkable treble success.
KR were ultimately indebted to faultless goalkicking from Arthur Mourgue and Rhyse Martin but the game was won in a one-sided first hour.
"Unbelievable," said Peters after the epic 30-24 victory.
"It was exactly how we wanted to play. We had a plan and executed it perfectly.
"To suffocate them in field position is difficult to do because they've got balance all over the field. For 57 minutes, we were in full control. We lost it and lost the momentum and had to find a way - but we did.
"It means a lot. We knew how big this game was. No Hull KR team has ever been involved in a game like this before.
"I would have been proud of them if it had gone the other way but they didn't deserve to lose that."
Dean Hadley typified KR's fighting spirit, playing through the pain of a potential fractured eye in a heroic display.
Rovers, who face Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas next weekend, also lost Mourgue to injury in a costly win.
"It doesn't look good," said Peters. "It's a pec, which is time on the sidelines.
"Dean Hadley has a possible fracture to the eye and he stayed out there, which is unbelievable.
"I hate when players get injured. The feeling I've got about winning is great but it looks like there will be some decent time on the sidelines there."