HULL KR head coach Willie Peters has called for Super League bye rounds as injuries bite the entire competition.
The call comes on the back of comments made by Warrington Wolves boss Sam Burgess and Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet that the Super League schedule needs to change as injuries mount for both of their sides.
Despite playing every week during the 2026 season due to making it to the Challenge Cup final – with an extra game on Tuesday, August 18, against Warrington, rescheduled due to February’s World Club Challenge – Rovers have remained healthier than most, with Arthur Mourgue the only first-team star to miss the vast majority of the season.
But to combat the risk, Peters wants to see a bye round introduced, something which is already an important feature in an NRL season.
“We talk about the welfare of players. In a few weeks’ time, us and Warrington will play three games in a week towards the back end of the season after having such a huge year,” he said.
“There is a higher risk of injury. It’s a difficult part of the season, but you need to have byes throughout the year.
“Personally, we didn’t want to have a bye because we wanted to play in the Challenge Cup final, but it certainly takes its toll on every single player.
“It’s outrageous to think players can play all season, play three games in a week towards the back end, and not have any injuries.
“It’s about the product and making sure we have an entertaining product, but the way we do that is to make sure we have the right players playing that are able to entertain.”
While Mourgue could return from a torn pectoral when Hull KR play Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, Dean Hadley won’t feature.
Hadley was ruled out indefinitely after failing a second HIA in as many months in Rovers’ loss to Leeds Rhinos last month.
Whilst there were initial concerns that the veteran forward could be out for an extended period of time, Peters insists that Hadley isn’t too far away from selection.
“Dean Hadley won’t play this week, I’m not sure but it could possibly be next week,” Peters said.
“Dean was fine after the game, but he was certainly different to how he was after the HIA at Wembley
“He’s just got to go through the right channels now, it’s with the medical team.
“It will be a return in the near future.”