Ahead of PNG Chiefs’ entry into the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) in 2028, Willie Peters has been appointed as its inaugural Head Coach.
Peters, one of the most sought-after coaches in the game, has recently completed a record-breaking season in the UK, where he led Hull Kingston Rovers to the English treble for the first time in their history, including the Super League Grand Final, Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield.
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Having had a strong career as a halfback that included stints at South Sydney and St George Illawarra in Australia and Wigan, Widnes and Gateshead in the English Super League, Peters moved into coaching and was an Assistant Coach at Manly, South Sydney and the Newcastle Knights, before being appointed as the Head Coach of Hull Kingston Rovers in May 2022.
Peters had immediate success, guiding his new club to the Challenge Cup Final, before reaching the Super League Grand Final the following season in 2024, where they narrowly went down to Wigan.
Last season Peters turned that all around with the historical treble in Super League, followed up by an incredible victory in February of this year where Peters coached Hull KR to a nail-biting victory over Brisbane in the World Club Challenge.
Peters was rewarded for his tremendous season by being named as an Assistant Coach to Kevin Walters for the Kangaroos’ October tour of the UK.
PNG Chiefs General Manager of Football, Michael Chammas said:
“This is one of the most important decisions we will make as a franchise. Willie wasn’t just available – he was in demand.
The fact that he chose the PNG Chiefs, chose this challenge, and chose this country says everything about the kind of man and coach he is.
He understands what this means – not just for rugby league, but for an entire nation.”
“Tactics win games, but people win premierships. That’s a philosophy which is the foundation of Willie’s coaching career.
His ability to connect with players – to genuinely earn their trust and loyalty – is something that we admired. That doesn’t stop at the playing group.
Willie has a gift for bringing an entire community along for the ride and making people feel part of something bigger than themselves.
He has done that incredibly at Hull KR, last year producing the most successful season in the club’s history by winning everything on offer.
He will also do that for Papua New Guinea, where the connection between this club and its people will be everything.”
“While we’re excited for Willie to join the club later in the year, we respect the role he still has to play in leading Hull KR to hopefully another title.
We wish him and the Robins all the best for the rest of the season.”
Willie Peters said: “I believe that what we build with the PNG Chiefs can change the lives of Papua New Guineans for generations to come.
Not many coaches get an opportunity like that. This opportunity transcends rugby league.
“I have enormous respect for the vision Prime Minister James Marape has for his country and what he believes the PNG Chiefs can mean for his people.
That moved me and my family. I want to honor that vision.
I want to be worthy of the faith the NRL and the Chiefs have placed in me, and I want to deliver something that makes every Papua New Guinean proud.”