Greek Australian Willie Peters has made history in Papua New Guinea, being appointed the inaugural Head Coach of the PNG Chiefs. He is set to join the club later this year.
Highly regarded coach Peters recently capped a record-breaking season in the UK by leading Hull Kingston Rovers to a historic English treble, including the Super League Grand Final, Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield. February of this year saw Peters coach Hull KR to a victory over Brisbane in the World Club Challenge.
Peters is a former halfback with experience at South Sydney and St George Illawarra in Australia and Wigan, and Widnes and Gateshead in the English Super League. Peters’ transition into coaching started with his role as an assistant coach at Manly, South Sydney and the Newcastle Knights before he took charge of Hull KR as Head Coach in 2022. His achievements earned him a role as an assistant coach with Australia for the Kangaroos’ October UK tour.
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.”
Chammas admired Peters’ coaching, especially when “producing the most successful season in the club’s history by winning everything on offer” last year with Hull KR, highlighting his rapid rise from a successful playing career to record-breaking achievements as a coach.
Peters said he always had an ambition to coach in the NRL and was excited that it would be as the foundation coach of the Chiefs.
“I believe that what we build with the PNG Chiefs can change the lives of Papua New Guineans for generations to come,” Peters said. “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 honour 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.”
Hull KR Owner Neil Hudgell said Peters would leave with the very best wishes of everyone at the Robins after four years as the most successful coach in the club’s modern history.
“As the coach of the World Club Champions, he deserves to go out on his terms, with our respect, appreciation, and best wishes,” Hudgell said. “Willie Peters led us to the most successful season in the history of Hull Rugby League in 2025… For now, and for the rest of this year, he will continue to drive a culture that demands success.”
Hull KR have won two of their five Super League matches this season and will face Hull FC on Easter Friday.
“The job is not done. I am fully committed to what’s ahead which continues this week in preparing the players for the Hull Derby this Friday,” Peters said.
“Our goal is always to make our community proud and we aim to do that each and every week.”
Source: NRL
