One down: Peters won’t apply for Newcastle coach role
Scott Bailey |
Willie Peters has pulled out of the race to be Newcastle’s next head coach, concerned a protracted interview process could derail his Super League campaign.
Peters had loomed as one of the most credentialed options for the Knights in their search to replace Adam O’Brien, having helped turn Hull KR around in England.
After taking charge in 2023, Peters has taken the Kingston Rovers from eighth to a semi-final, before being runners-up last year.
The club are now four points clear at the top of the ladder with three rounds to play, with Peters now three years into his first top-flight coaching gig.
But his manager Braith Anasta confirmed on Tuesday night the former Knights assistant would not interview for the job, fearing a drawn-out process.
Newcastle this week revealed a five-man subcommittee would be responsible for finding the next coach, after calling in Michael Hagan to join Knights officials.
“They’ve asked us to apply, but we don’t think we’re going to apply,” Anasta said on NRL 360.
“Going through a process where we don’t know where we are going to land, with a number of candidates, can distract from winning a premiership back there.
“There is not much more he can do.
“He is their head coach … He is competing against assistant coaches. Everyone says there is a difference between being a head coach and an assistant coach.
“We just don’t think it’s worth it.”
Peters had earlier this year been linked with the Wests Tigers job, before the joint-venture’s end to the season took the pressure off Benji Marshall.
Anasta indicated the situation could be different for Peters at Newcastle if he didn’t have to go through a protracted interview process.
“That’s very different, but we haven’t received that,” Anasta said.
Blake Green remains the favourite for the Knights job, having served as O’Brien’s assistant for the past four years.
Justin Holbrook, John Morris and Brad Arthur are considered other options.
Green does not have the first-grade coaching experience of that trio, but Knights veteran Jacob Saifiti indicated this week he did not believe that would be an issue.
“If he was to coach me next year, I would be more than happy,” Saifiti, who is the Knights’ longest current serving player, told AAP.
“I got a few games in with Greeny before he did his ACL (in 2021). His footy IQ is next level.
“The game is always evolving and he has only recently stopped playing. His mind is always going.
“Although our attack hasn’t been too hot, his man management is something we are really good at. I think it’s something we need.”
AAP
