Hull KR coach Willie Peters will leave the world club champions at the end of the 2026 season to take up an opportunity in the NRL.
Peters is one of the most in-demand coaches in the game after guiding the Robins to the 2025 Super League premiership and Challenge Cup double and then delivering further success in February's World Club Challenge against the Broncos.
He was also assistant coach to Kevin Walters in Australia's 3-0 Ashes Series cleansweep against England last year.
"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," Peters said in a statement issued by Hull KR on Sunday night.
"I want to thank the board, the players and all of the staff at Sewell Group Craven Park for their support and commitment during four wonderful years where I have developed as a coach and as a person.
"I’d also like to thank the best fans in the world for taking me and my family in since our arrival. Hull KR and the East Hull community will forever be in our hearts."
The former South Sydney, St George Illawarra and Wigan halfback has been linked to the England job for the World Cup in October and November.
However, he is believed to have turned it down to pursue the opportunity to become the inaugural PNG Chiefs coach in 2028.
Peters began his senior coaching career under former team-mate Trent Barrett at Manly, before taking on assistant roles with the Knights and Rabbitohs.
Peters joined Hull KR in 2023 and took the club to their first grand final of the Super League era in 2024 before last year's domination.
Hull KR Owner Neil Hudgell said Peters would leave with the very best wishes of everyone at the Robins after four years of being the most successful coach in the club's modern history.
“As the coach of the World Club Champions, he deserves to go out on his terms, with our respect, appreciation, and best wishes," Hudgell said.
"Willie Peters led us to the most successful season in the history of Hull Rugby League in 2025.
"For now, and for the rest of this year, he will continue to drive a culture that demands success.”
Hull KR have won two of their five Super League matches so far this season and face Hull FC on Easter Friday.
"The job is not done. I am fully committed to what’s ahead which continues this week in preparing the players for the Hull Derby this Friday," Peters said.
"Our goal is always to make our community proud and we aim to do that each and every week."
