Willie Peters provides interesting insight into Hull KR recruitment – overseas, spine cover, contracts & rejected move 

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters provided further insight into the club’s recruitment hopes following the immediate retirement of Australian full-back Lachlan Coote.

Ex-Saints number one Coote, 33, had planned on hanging up the boots at the end of the year with Hull KR.

However, following another concussion suffered during Super League’s Magic Weekend, the NRL and Super League winner announced his immediate retirement just last week based on medical advice.

The decision has opened salary cap space at Craven Park, as well as a quota spot – with Rhys Kennedy, Sauaso Sue, Tom Opacic, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Matt Parcell and Kane Linnett currently at the club.

However, Australian coach Peters admitted to recruitment difficulties including contracts, the overseas market and having had a player express interest in a move, only to be rejected by their current club.

Peters has previously already confirmed his interest in Castleford full-back Niall Evalds for 2024, while the side have confirmed the signings of Peta Hiku and Oliver Gildart from the NRL.

“We’re definitely searching.”

“We’re certainly looking at the moment,” Peters confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s halfway through the season, obviously contracts are in place and players aren’t sure potentially what they’re doing next year.

“It may be one of those where it’s more of an opportunity based on contracts.

“We’re definitely searching and looking for that type of player and the right person. But we’ve got a game this week and that’s our focus.

“Myself and Paul Lakin [Hull KR CEO] in the background are working on how we can strengthen the squad in terms of our depth.

“There are players that we’re potentially looking at, but it’s not an easy one.

“Players from overseas want a longer-term contract and we’re not sure we’re in a position to do that. There’s a lot of factors involved.

“We did have interest in one player who wanted to come, and then the club didn’t want to let him out. It’s totally understandable, he’s their player. You’re going to have that.

“We’re looking at certain players now, but again nothing is finalised yet.”

Willie Peters outlines key position for recruitment

Peters, 44, confirmed that he is currently seeking to bolster his back-line options in the halves, with England international Jordan Abdull expected to miss the rest of the season due to injury.

The 27-year-old key man picked up a hamstring injury during his return match against Catalans earlier this month, having previously been sidelined with a quad issue.

The recent injuries saw the club add full-backs Jack Walker and Tanguy Zenon to their squad, with the latter recently extending his loan deal from Catalans by a further two weeks.

“We’re looking at a few, full-back or half, but because Jordan went down, it’s more in the halves,” Peters said.

“We do have a bit of cover in that full-back role now. If Jordan hadn’t gone down, you’re looking at possible a full-back or another position.

“But we are sort of thin around our halves.”

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