Willie Peters Appointed PNG Chiefs Head Coach

Willie Peters, the Australian coach who guided Hull Kingston Rovers to historic success in England's Super League, was officially appointed on Monday as the inaugural head coach of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, the National Rugby League's newest franchise set to debut in 2028.

The 47-year-old Peters, who has been with Hull KR since 2022, will depart the club at the end of the 2026 season after leading them through a transformative four-year tenure. Under his leadership, the Rovers achieved a domestic treble in 2025, capturing the Challenge Cup, Super League grand final and minor premiership, their first league title since 1985. They added the World Club Challenge trophy in February 2026 with a victory over the Brisbane Broncos, marking the club's most successful era. Despite a challenging start to the current season that left them eighth in the table after five rounds, Hull KR recently secured a convincing 52-10 win over St Helens, signaling a return to form.

Peters expressed gratitude for his time in East Hull while reaffirming his commitment to the remainder of the season. "I've made no secret of my desire to coach in the NRL as the next step of my career. However, it makes...