'I don't value comments without substance': Willie Peters hits back at Hull KR rotation criticism

Peters' management of his resources is under the microscope after he named an understrength side for KR's fourth game in a fortnight at Wigan Warriors.

Scrutiny has been led by the All Out Rugby League Back Ten podcast, with former Super League prop Kyle Amor questioning whether Peters had "squeezed the life" out of his frontline players while failing to blood youngsters sooner.

"I've come from a club previously that develops players," said the former South Sydney Rabbitohs assistant. "One thing I've learned is you've got to make sure you develop them in the right way.

"I've heard some comments this morning from some individuals in particular and I certainly don't value comments from people that don't go to watch the academy. They're not watching our training and are not seeing these players day-to-day and coming back with facts.

"The area we needed to work on, and I said this in the first couple of months I was here, was our youth system. Over the course of the years, how many players from our youth have come through? There's not a great deal, of late.

"It's been an ongoing issue we need to get right as a club. The club are aware of it and are putting more resources into it.

"Everyone's got an opinion, and that's fine, but the people's opinions that matter most to me are when there's substance behind them. There was a comment from one particular person this morning that I don't value at all because there's no substance to what they're saying at all."

Peters, whose side still have work to do to secure a play-off place, has used a competition-low 27 players in Super League this year after handing Louix Gorman a rare opportunity in last week's defeat to Toulouse Olympique. He is one of six players to have featured five times or fewer.

The numbers offer some weight to the criticism but Peters insists they do not tell the full story.

"What people have got to understand is we've got affiliations with clubs that have access to our players but don't take our players because they don't feel they're ready for the Championship," he added. "How are they then ready for Super League?

"I can understand and accept if people have that opinion but they are the facts. It's important players spend time in the Championship before they become Super League players."

Peters has had to change his approach this week after conceding the defending champions had the look of a "tired team" in damaging home losses to Warrington Wolves and Toulouse.

However, he insists only Peta Hiku, Tom Davies and Jez Litten have been given much-needed breathers.

Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Jai Whitbread and Tyrone May are among those nursing injuries, while Oliver Gildart failed to prove his fitness during the captain's run.

"There are probably three that we're trying to rest," said Peters, who is also without suspended duo Mikey Lewis and Tevita Pangai Junior.

"We've had some soft-tissue injuries, which we pride ourselves on not having. When loads spike, there's more risk of that.

"Everyone else is injured at the moment. It's not ideal but this is our fourth game in 15 days off the back of going to Vegas, playing in the World Club Challenge, a couple of trips to France and playing at Wembley. It takes its toll – and it's taken its toll now.

"We just need to get through it and come out the other side. I'm no less proud of my team than I was last year. They're battling their way through.

"We want to be in this finals series and are going to fight to the end."

Cobie Wainhouse, Declan Murphy, Alfie Woods, Ryan Westerman, Flynn Holden and Frankie Dearlove are all in contention to make their debut on Thursday.

Peters hopes the influx of youth can inject fresh impetus into KR's fading title challenge.

"I've spoken about earning the right to play and they've earned the right in terms of attitude and how they conduct themselves and approach the game," he said.

"This is probably a little bit forced in terms of playing so many together but I know they'll do their best. That's all we can ask of them.

"What they can control is effort and how hard they want to compete. Certainly energy is something they have at the moment because they haven't been playing week to week like some others.

"There's no doubt they'll bring some energy. That's what is needed."