Incoming Hull KR coach Willie Peters confirms triple NRL swoop as overseas trio prepare to depart

Peters will see out this season as an assistant coach at Newcastle Knights but he has been busy piecing his Rovers squad together ready for his arrival later this year.

As well as back-rower James Batchelor from Wakefield Trinity, the Robins have completed deals for NRL trio Opacic, Kennedy and Sue.

Centre Opacic, 27, has featured nine times for Parramatta Eels in 2022, while prop Kennedy, also 27, has made five appearances for Brisbane Broncos.

Newcastle forward Sue, 30, has been limited to four outings but he is a player Peters knows well.

The triple overseas swoop means current Hull KR players Albert Vete, Korbin Sims and Brad Takairangi will leave the club at the end of their contracts later this year to free up quota spaces.

"The thing for me wasn't to go and get rid of all these players," Peters told the Toohey's News Podcast.

"We've maintained and kept the experienced players. We'll bring a few more from here next year to add to what they're doing at the moment.

"There are three (quota) spots and the guys we're going to get are Rhys Kennedy, 'Jesse' Sue and Tom Opacic. They'll add to what we're doing."

Rovers have retained the services of Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Kane Linnett, Matt Parcell and Elliot Minchella, while young talents Mikey Lewis, Rowan Milnes and Jez Litten are all tied down long term.

Peters singled out George King for praise and believes the prop will benefit from playing alongside Sue.

The Australian is also excited about linking back up with Kennedy, a player he believes is made for Super League.

"George King is a front-rower who puts his hand up week in, week out," said Peters.

"I thought Jesse with his experience would be really good for him.

"I worked with Rhys Kennedy at the (South Sydney) Rabbitohs. He went up to the Broncos and took his game to another level. He hasn't played a lot this year but there's a lot of competition in the Broncos forwards.

"From what I saw last year and this year, the game over there will suit him."

The Robins, who reached the Super League semi-finals in 2021, are seventh in the table with 12 rounds remaining.

Peters has identified areas for improvement as he looks to take the club to the next level.

"It's exciting," he said. "It's just building on what the club, Tony (Smith) and the players are doing over there at the moment and putting my spin on it.

"I've looked at the games and know where I want to improve the team. With the attack, they play a free-flowing style over there. The English fans love that sort of footy and that works for them so we definitely won't be changing that.

"There needs to be some discipline within that but I definitely want freedom footy.

"We'll tighten the defence up a little bit. A big part of the English game overall is transitions from attack to defence and defence to attack. If you can train fast and create habits around that, that will transfer and I reckon that will be a big part of improving the side as well."