Willie Peters: Hull KR head coach targeting perfect farewell with Super League play-off place on the line

The equation for Hull KR is simple on Friday: Beat Huddersfield Giants and they are in the play-offs.

Barring a miracle, this will be Willie Peters' final contest before he heads to take over as head coach of the NRL's new PNG Chiefs, who join the competition in 2028.

Peters made history for the Robins, bringing home their first trophy since 1895, first Grand Final win, and a quadruple that was capped off with a World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos.

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Now, he wants to end his time at Sewell Group Craven Park with a victory that would secure Hull KR a place in the top six and see St Helens miss out on the play-offs for the first time in their history.

However, if Hull KR lose to the Giants and St Helens beat Leigh Leopards on the same night, live on Sky Sports, it will all come down to their final round clash on Friday September 11.

For Peters, the magnitude of the game is not lost on him, especially since he employs a mentality that the next game is always the most important one.

"We win this game, we are in the six. If we don't win this game, then naturally we're fighting to survive in the six," he said.

"I always talk about it is our next game, which is always the most important.

"There's two things that give it reason to. Obviously, it's our last home game here, so it's important that we finish the year strong.

"Potentially, we could still make it [if we lose], but when you're relying on opposition teams, it's more than likely it's not going to happen.

"So it's important that we finish our last home game at Craven Park with a strong performance, because we haven't done that the last two times we've been here."

Peters ready to soak in 'proud' moment

Of course, the priority for Peters on Friday is securing the two points that keep their title defence alive. But it will also be a significant night for the Hull KR boss, as it is set to be the last time he occupies the coaching box at Craven Park - the scene of so much of his success with Hull KR.

Indeed, it will be his chance to soak in, one last time, what east Hull means to him.

"Every time I've coached here, I've been the proudest coach in the world sitting in that box at Craven Park and nothing will change this week," Peters said.

"I've got one more opportunity to do that. I just want to be able to look out on the park one more time and look at this team that this community and fanbase are proud of.

"It's important they do that with their actions this week and we put in a strong performance for the fans.

"When I come down to Craven Park, I always drive down and watch people come in, and that's east Hull for me.

"You see families walk in, partners, best friends - there's all these different walks of people from different lives coming together to do the same thing, and that's supporting their team.

"I'm proud every time I sit in that box to coach this club, and I get the opportunity to do that one more time."

Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Willie Peters: Hull KR head coach targeting perfect farewell with Super League play-off place on the line