A key contender has reportedly pulled himself out of the race for the vacant Knights head coaching role, with his manager revealing now is not the right time to make the switch.
According to Code Sports, Willie Peters reportedly has a desire to keep his focus on Hull KR in the Super League and won’t consider a switch to the NRL.
Newcastle powerbrokers reportedly approached the 46-year-old to interview for their vacant position, having been one of several names floated to succeed Adam O’Brien.
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However, Braith Anasta, who manages Peters, has revealed his client is unlikely to apply.
“We don’t think we are going to apply. I think if you actually do your research on Willie and looked at what he has done over there and what he has achieved,” Anasta said on NRL360 on Tuesday night.
Anasta went on to explain why Peters is in a position to focus solely on the Super League and avoid a drawn-out interview process to win the Knights role.
“You talk about credentials, you can’t compare them,” he said.
“He has taken a team from last to first, won coach of the year last year, he is going to get coach of the year this year, they are coming first, they are four points from second.
“He is their head coach… and he is competing against assistant coaches. He’s taken a club that is a working class town who live and breathe rugby league.
“Their memberships have doubled, their crowds have doubled. For him and where he is right now, he is a chance of winning Super League this year.
“Us going through a process where we don’t know where we are going to land, with a number of candidates, can distract the process of winning a premiership back there.
“We just don’t think it is worth it.”
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League legend Gorden Tallis then asked whether Peters would consider the role if there was no interview process, and he received a direct approach to be appointed head coach.
“That is very different. We haven’t received that,” Anasta said.
“We don’t want to go through that.”
Peters has previously spent time on the Knights coaching staff, spending time under O’Brien between 2020 and 2022.
Peters has been one of several names floated to succeed Adam O’Brien, with Justin Holbrook an Dean Young also reportedly contenders.
Meanwhile, current Newcastle assistant coach Blake Green is also reportedly in the running to receive a big promotion.
