Willie Peters set to become inaugural head coach of PNG Chiefs after quitting Super League club

Hull KR coach Willie Peters looks set to finally get his wish to hold a senior coaching job in the NRL.

While he is yet to formally sign a contract, Peters has reportedly told his Super League players he will be leaving at season's end to take the head coach role for the PNG Chiefs ahead of their inaugural season in 2028.

He has beaten out Brad Arthur, Jason Demetriou and Adrian Lam to the job.

READ MORE: Seibold fires back at calls for his sacking after another loss

READ MORE: AFL review system under fire for big error that turned thriller

EXCLUSIVE: Bathurst champ's swipe at old team over 'bitter' split

Peters previously held assistant roles with the Knights, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs, and has long held ambitions to hold a senior job in the NRL.

"I believe I'm ready to go. The only way you can show that is by getting an opportunity in the NRL and proving yourself," he told All Out Rugby League last month.

"It's a unique opportunity because it's a team where you can create the culture and DNA of a club for many years. But setting up the culture of PNG would excite me."

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

With Hull, Peters will be remembered for taking the club on a meteoric rise to the top of English rugby league. Having only taken charge in 2023, Hull won every trophy available last year.

It began with the Challenge Cup, won over the Wolves at Wembley Stadium, which ended a 40-year silverware drought.

They then won the League Leaders' Shield, and then finally beat the Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford to be crowned Super League champions.

The team was given two open-top bus parades through the city.

In February, the team put the cherry on top of their season by beating the Broncos in the World Club Challenge.

The Chiefs senior management is beginning to take shape. Former Sydney Morning Herald journalist Michael Chammas was appointed the inaugural general manager last month.