Hull KR coach Willie Peters has addressed speculation that he is set to join Kevin Walters’ Australia coaching team for the upcoming Ashes, insisting no decision has been made but conceding he would relish the opportunity if it came his way.
Reports in Australia suggested Peters, who has overseen a record-breaking season with the Robins, had already accepted a role as Walters’ assistant. But speaking this week, the 44-year-old was quick to clarify his position.
‘There’s been nothing official’
“Kevvie publicly said he would call me, which he did,” Peters explained. “We chatted around the game over here and had a general conversation about footie and just life, but there’s been nothing at this stage. Would I like to? Yeah, I would.”
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“It would be an honour to be involved in the Australian team if there was an opportunity, but it was just general chat. I’m sure he’ll come back to me at the right time. There’s been nothing official. I know some stuff has been reported in the media, but there’s nothing finalised yet. If asked, I would like to be involved, and I made that clear when I was asked about that.”
Walters has been vocal in his admiration for Peters’ work at Hull KR, praising their defensive steel and calling them “very hard to break”. The Australian coach has also flagged John Cartwright of Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos’ Brad Arthur as other Super League figures he could lean on.
Peters has also been linked with a return to the NRL as a possible replacement for outgoing Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien, but he has ruled himself out of the running for that role.