By STEVE MASCORD
REELING from a shock loss to Wakefield and with their seemingly unlosable League Leaders Shield on the line tomorrow night, Hull KR’s coach has found reassurance in the most unlikely of places.
That is, arch rivals and defending champions Wigan.
The Robins should have had the first-past-the-post title sewn up a fortnight or more ago but have suffered some unpredictability late in the season.
They’ve lost two of the past four and the silverware will only be wrapped up with victory against struggling Warrington at Sewell Group Craven Park tomorrow night.
Asked what examples he had used to negotiate the choppy late-season waters, Willie Peters said: “Wigan’s been outstanding the last four weeks but they went through a period this year where everyone was questioning … people were writing them off.
“It’s like ‘no’. That team will be fine at the end of the year.
“Rabbitohs, I’ve been involved in teams where you have your ups and downs. I’ve seen the Melbourne Storm do it.
“But what I have learned along the way is making sure the players can peak at the right time and that’s getting them through this next period.”
Peters might be relatively new to the head coaching role but he insists his apprenticeship has prepared him well for the month ahead.
“We’ve got so much to play for this Thursday so I don’t see any game now that shouldn’t be motivating.
“Last week there was no excuse. That was us. We did perform that way. But we’ve got a game this week to go get a League Leaders’ Shield – we certainly should be motivated by that.
“Then they’ve got a 16-day break before they play. They’ll freshen up and we’re playing to go to Old Trafford.
“I’m certainly comfortable to know how to manage this situation.
“You want to win every game. Last week wasn’t ideal but that doesn’t mean that the wheels have fallen off, that’s for sure.”