Peta Hiku's Hull KR coaching role caused by 'an itch' - and another current player is in the mix

Hull Kingston Rovers centre Peta Hiku's involvement as an academy coach came because he had an itch to help the younger players - and forward Dean Hadley is another who has had the same feeling.

Hiku was announced as a specialist outside back coach, with the academy, last night - when former captain James Webster was also confirmed as returning to assist the half-back youngsters.

The Rovers centre has already been helping the academy players, since he has come back from playing for New Zealand, ahead of his new role - and Hadley has been doing the same with the forwards. Hiku and Shaun Kenny-Dowall's specialist skills in the three-quarter line mean that they have been focusing on helping with that area.

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The role for Hiku is designed to help his development as he looks to develop more in the sphere of coaching. Both Hiku and Hadley have been working with head of academy Jason Netherton, the ex-Hull KR player, and his team.

Another former Rovers player who is coaching in the academy, Rhys Lovegrove, has recently said that the club is still aiming to produce their own homegrown players for the first team even though "it's the hardest it's probably ever been because this is the best Hull KR team in Super League history".

Hiku and Hadley were instrumental in Hull KR's run to the Grand Final in 2024 with the Kiwi playing in all 32 league, cup and play-off games and the Hull-born warrior only missing two. The pair were joint third in the club's Player of the Year awards behind captain Elliot Minchella and Man of Steel Mikey Lewis. Hiku is contracted as a Rovers player to 2026 while Hadley is in the final year of his contract during the imminent 2025 campaign.

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