Willie Peters has issued a rallying call to the Hull KR fans ahead of Friday's blockbuster semi-final against Warrington Wolves, declaring that his side "need them more than ever".

Rovers stand 80 minutes from a maiden Grand Final appearance after securing their highest-ever Super League finish at the end of the regular season.

The reward for finishing above Warrington in second place is home advantage in the semi-finals, setting up KR's best opportunity yet to reach Old Trafford.

The Robins have a formidable home record – with the Wolves the only team to win at Craven Park in normal time this year – but Peters has warned that the players and team will need to come together to make it count.

"The advantage is having 10,000 fans behind you," he said. "They certainly make a difference.

"We want it to be hostile and daunting for teams to come here. The crowd certainly do that but we need them more than ever this Friday night.

"It's the semi-finals now and do or die. It's time to go to work."

Rovers are appearing in their sixth semi-final since 2021 after establishing themselves as a genuine force in Super League.

Willie Peters' side are 80 minutes from Old Trafford. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — Willie Peters' side are 80 minutes from Old Trafford. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

Experience has taught Peters that his creative players will decide the outcome, something that was reinforced in last week's eliminators when Warrington half-back George Williams and Leigh Leopards hooker Edwin Ipape came to the fore.

"It's your key players that step up," said the Rovers boss, who was a half-back himself in his playing days.

"We're certainly looking at Mikey (Lewis), Tyrone (May), Niall (Evalds), Matt Parcell and guys like that to step up.

"I know what we're going to get from our forwards and I'm sure Sam (Burgess, Warrington head coach) feels the same so they're going to be going at each other.

Hull KR celebrate the win at Warrington in August. (Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)

"The key players in the spine will determine the game, just like in both games last week."

KR's cause has not been helped by the loss of influential captain Elliot Minchella to an untimely suspension.

Rovers had been hopeful of freeing the loose forward up to face Warrington, only to see two appeals rejected.

"That's in the past," said Peters. "All I'm focusing on is who's playing.

Elliot Minchella was sin-binned in the closing stages of the win against Leigh. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)

"I'm more than confident in the players who will play, especially Dean Hadley. He's moved there (to loose forward) and done a great job.

"He's a player that players love to play with. He's consistent and does the same job every week. He's going to be a great team-mate again for the rest of the team."

The semi-final showdown is the biggest game at Sewell Group Craven Park since the stadium opened in 1989.

Peters is convinced that the Robins will embrace the pressure.

"The players want to play in big games and this is certainly a big game, a big occasion," said the Australian, who has been confirmed as a Coach of the Year nominee.

"It's our first home semi-final to be in a position to go to Old Trafford after finishing second. We've done things this year that we haven't done previously.

"This is a massive game for both clubs. You can tell by the way they're training that it's a semi-final week. The players are ready to go."