Hull KR captain Elliot Minchella has expressed his determination to ensure departing head coach Willie Peters leaves the club as a Challenge Cup winner when they face Wigan at Wembley on Saturday. The reigning champions are aiming to retain the trophy and secure back-to-back triumphs.
Peters announced in March that he will leave Craven Park at the end of the season to become head coach of the newly formed National Rugby League side Papua New Guinea Chiefs. Under his guidance, Hull KR have transformed from a mid-table side into a Super League powerhouse, winning their first domestic treble last season and becoming World Club Challenge champions in February.
“This is definitely a trophy we want to retain to create some more history as a club together,” said Minchella. “Obviously, we’re disappointed to be losing him, but also we’re proud of what he’s going to go and do over there. Not much has changed and we all want to send him off as a winner.”
The 30-year-old back-rower, who previously worked as a builder, has developed into one of the division’s best forwards under Peters. He was left out of the England squad for last year’s Ashes series but remains ambitious about representing his country in this year’s World Cup. “I had a phone call with Shaun Wane the day after the Grand Final to say I won’t make the cut, it was tough to take,” he added.
Hull KR have recovered from a difficult start to the season, which included a heavy defeat to Leeds in Las Vegas. Minchella dismissed suggestions that Peters’ departure announcement affected their form, stating: “I don’t think Willie leaving the club at the end of the year contributed to that, it was just a tough start of the year.”
