PAPUA New Guinea Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas expects Willie Peters to make a big impact off the field as well as on it for one of the NRL’s newest franchises.
The Hull KR head coach is set to join the Chiefs at the conclusion of the 2026 Super League season in preparation for the Pacific Islanders becoming the Southern Hemisphere competition’s 19th club in 2028.
Peters has won every honour available with the Robins, completing a domestic treble last year followed by a World Club Challenge triumph over Brisbane Broncos in February, but Chammas is just as impressed by the work the 47-year-old has done in building the culture in the squad.
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Former Gateshead Thunder and Wigan Warriors scrumhalf Peters’ skills in that area will be particularly tested, given how the Chiefs players, coaches, and their families will be based together in a still-to-be-constructured unit at Port Moresby’s Airways Hotel resort.
“What he did winning the treble last year and backing it up against the Broncos in the World Club Challenge, no doubt he’s got the runs on the board from a football perspective,” Chammas told Sky Sports.
“But off the field as well…what he brings – and our club is going to be unique.
“We’re all going to be living together in an environment 24/7 and you need a coach who’s not only going to bring the players together, but the families together.
“Everyone at Hull KR speaks very highly of what Willie has done.”
Chammas was in attendance at Sewell Group Craven Park on Thursday to watch Hull KR warm-up for their Challenge Cup defence on May 30 with a 62-4 win over fellow Wembley finalists Wigan, who fielded a somewhat youthful and inexperienced line-up.
He has high hopes of Peters replicating the success he has enjoyed in his first head-coaching gig over the past three-and-a-half seasons, and sees similarities between the Robins and the Chiefs.
“You can’t walk away easily from what he’s achieved here and it’s remarkable the success he has had,” Chammas said.
“He saw something similar in Papua New Guinea – it’s definitely on a larger scale with over 10million people in the country – and what he’s done is united communities behind them and brought them on the journey.
“I felt like that experience he’s had here will put him in good stead with what he’s got to do in Papua New Guinea.”
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