Challenge laid down for Hull KR's players after busy schedule

Hull Kingston Rovers' squad will need to be "ready to train" rather than "preparing to train" when they return - and that includes international players when they come back from extended breaks.

Mikey Lewis has been on England duty, Peta Hiku has been with New Zealand, and Rhyse Martin - who is one of the new recruits for 2025 - represented Papua New Guinea in post-season 2024 internationals. The heavy workload means that they have all been given delayed starts - but they will have to hit the ground running when they return from those. Hiku and Martin are due back on December 9 then Lewis is due in on December 16.

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters said: "Like any of the players, I want them getting away and I want them freshening up first. Peta Hiku played every game this year and Rhyse Martin did too (for Leeds Rhinos). They need to mentally and physically freshen up, which they are doing now. Rhyse has actually got married which is great.

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"But what is expected of them as well is that they put themselves in a physical shape that they can come back and get into it straight away. So that they can start our small-sided games and do our conditioning components. How I put it is that they are 'ready to train' when they get back, they are not 'preparing to train'.

"I caught up with Mikey recently. He's been with the best of the best in terms of England rugby league players. He said they know when to have fun but also when it's time to work they work. You always come out a more mature player on the back of camps like that. There's no doubt that the other boys would have as well."

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