Coach Peters to leave champions Hull KR
· Yahoo Sports
Treble-winning Hull KR boss Willie Peters will leave the reigning Super League champions at the end of the season to become the first head coach of new National Rugby League side Papua New Guinea Chiefs.
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The 47-year-old, who took over in 2022, has a contract at Craven Park until 2028.
The Chiefs will not join the NRL until the 2028 season, but Peters will spend next year leading recruitment for the competition's newest team, who will be based in PNG's capital, Port Moresby.
"I've made no secret of my desire to coach in the NRL as the next step of my career. However, it makes this decision no less difficult," he said.
"I want to thank the board, the players and all of the staff for their support and commitment during four wonderful years where I have developed as a coach and as a person."
A Hull KR statement read: "Willie will leave with the very best wishes of everyone at the club after four years of being the most successful coach in our modern history, taking us to the very pinnacle of the sport as world champions."
Hull KR hold all four major titles available to Super League clubs after beating Brisbane Broncos to win the World Club Challenge in February.
They had gone 40 years without a league title before they beat Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final in October.
They also won the Challenge Cup - for the first time since 1980 - and the League Leaders' Shield.
Since last year Peters has combined his Hull KR job with being assistant coach of Australia.
Last month he said he was interested in taking over as England head coach after Shaun Wane stepped down.
Eighth in the Super League table after five games this season, Hull KR face rivals Hull FC on Friday.
'The man with the magic touch'
Peters' magic touch has been keenly felt in East Hull.
His enthusiasm for the game, respect for the competition and shrewd eye helped launch Rovers from the start.
Everyone you speak to about Peters says the same words: meticulous, diligent, thorough.
He is a coach who leaves little to chance, he prepares players with detail, and he has a personal touch.
By beating Wigan in the Super League Grand Final, Hull KR became only the fifth team to get their name on the trophy.
Yet there has been so much more than silverware that has made his time at Craven Park a success.