Willie Peters teases Hull KR contract extensions amid retention challenge
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has teased a pair of contract extensions as the club step up their long-term planning for 2027.
The Robins are gearing up for the defence of their Super League title but work behind the scenes is already under way to shape the squad beyond the upcoming campaign.
While Dean Hadley has committed his future, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess and Rhyse Martin are among the players in the final year of their contracts.
"We'll announce a couple that we've retained shortly," said Peters, who also has decisions to make on Jesse Sue and Peta Hiku.
"There are some others there that we need to monitor with their age and that type of thing.
"We want to keep the squad together but we've got to be mindful that we've got a few guys in the 30s now and you can go a year too long.
"When you win a competition together, you don't want your squad to change at all but when guys get to 34/35, you've got to make decisions because players can lose their leg speed almost overnight.
"We're going to be together this year but 2027 is different. People are going to be a year older and we need to make sure we're setting the club up for 2028, 2029 and 2030."
Sue will celebrate his 34th birthday in April, while Hiku turned 33 last month.
Peters confirmed that Rovers are in talks with Hiku over a new deal but will work with Sue to establish whether he is ready to extend his career beyond this season.
"That's something Jess and I will have to look at," added Peters, whose side head to Tenerife on Thursday for their pre-season camp.
"He's been outstanding for us but his game is built on his leg speed and physicality, so we need to look at that.
"We initially thought we'd get two very good years out of him and he's ended up staying for four. He's been a valuable player for us. His leadership is good around the place. He's grown into that role.
"But in terms of 2027, it's too early to say."