Peters launches Hiku defence
HULL KR head coach Willie Peters blasted critics of pre-season signing Peta Hiku after the New Zealander scored two tries to pave the way for his side’s 24-12 Super League win at Huddersfield.
Hiku endured a torrid start to his Robins career, with a dismal goal-kicking display on his debut against Hull FC, and Peters responded by switching him from full-back to centre for the first time at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Peters launched an impassioned defence of Hiku, insisting: “A lot of people have been pretty harsh on him, purely because of those goalkicks against Hull FC, and it’s so shallow that people want to have those opinions.
“Peta’s attitude has been outstanding, he’s bought into everything we’re doing and he’s a really important part of what we do. I’m really proud that he went out and performed the way he did today because some people have had some strong opinions of him based around his kicking, which is something we struggled with and he put his hand up for.”
Peters confirmed influential scrum-half Mikey Lewis will miss this week’s Challenge Cup clash with Salford after failing a head injury assessment, while George King also faces at least a fortnight on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
He praised the way his side hit back from two straight defeats but acknowledged they still have some way to go if they are to muscle in on title contention this season.
“I think we’re on track to being the team that we want to be,” added Peters. “We’re certainly not the finished product – there’s areas today we need to improve on.
“When you look at teams like Wigan and St Helens, they find ways to win when they’re not playing at their best and that’s what we need to get to. When things aren’t going our way we need to win ugly.”