HULL KR coach Willie Peters admits it will be a difficult start to 2026 for the defending Super League champions, with the World Club Challenge and a Las Vegas trip next month, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Robins will face the NRL champions Brisbane Broncos at the sold-out MKM Stadium on February 19, a week after their Super League opener away against York Knights, before a home match against Warrington and then they head to Vegas to play Leeds Rhinos at Allegiant Stadium.
It’s a hectic period for Peters and his men, but the coach insists his side will be well-prepared for it.
“If someone said do you want to not do Vegas or the World Club Challenge, there’s no way you’d say yeah and take one away, or not do both,” he told League Express.
“We’re in a privileged position. So, sure, it’s a challenging start to the season, there’s going to be games that are like finals, and then we’ve got a derby in there at the start.
“We’ve got a couple of trips to France. What we need to do as staff is make sure we manage that and plan. We certainly feel that we’re well-prepared for it, and obviously doing it and executing it is a different thing. But we’ve certainly planned for it.”
Hull KR won a treble last year but will look to defend their titles this year without experienced internationals Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Micky McIlorum.
Peters admits the duo are irreplaceable.
“I don’t think you can ever replace two guys like that,” he said.
“In terms of presence and their experience, they’re probably the last two of that old school. They played through different eras.
“They would be the first to admit it was the last year of their long careers, so they weren’t at their peak on the field, but they were certainly at their peak off the field in what they brought to the club. Their legacy is massive.
“I hope that the other props and hookers can look at what they did in the course of that year and understand how they need to go about things to be professional and to win.”
New signing Tom Amone has been given the number 10 shirt and will add to the front-row, while NRL capture Karl Lawton will increase depth at both hooker and in the back-row.
“To replace Jarrad and Micky is difficult, but we’re bringing in Tom Amone, who’s going to be extremely hungry and has a fair bit of prove,” Peters said.
“I know what we’re going to get, the Tom Amone who’s going to be playing for us and what he’s capable of. But deep down he’s got a little bit that he wants to accomplish.
“Then someone like a Karl Lawton was a really important signing for us, as we probably didn’t have the depth in our hookers. We’ve got Bill Leyland, but we’ve always had three hookers, which you need.
“Karl’s a worker, he competes hard, so he’ll certainly help and give us a bit more depth in a few positions after losing Kelepi Tanginoa.”