Willie Peters calls for ‘clarification’ on the laws as Hull KR are kicked out of the Challenge Cup

Today’s 38-6 defeat comes just 224 days after their 42-12 Super League play-off semi-final defeat and on no occasion did the Robins give a fair account of themselves. It’s testament to the fact that they managed to beat Wigan just last month and in impressive fashion, but that 26-10 win pales in comparison to today’s defeat.

Wigan went ahead after four minutes when they exposed Hull KR’s right flank and from that point the game became something of a procession, 24-0 at half-time turned into 38-6 after 80 minutes with Mikey Lewis’ moment of magic to put on joe Burgess saves KR from whitewashing.

However, there were question marks over Wigan’s first two tries with calls for a forward pass and then an escort giving Wigan territory in the second being called for. Willie Peters himself asked plenty of questions during the game after it was revealed that he lunged to face the fourth official.

After the game, he was much more reserved, but still voiced his concerns.

Hull KR manager seeks clarification on ‘certain decisions’

Credit: Imago Images

Speaking after the match to BBC Humberside, Peters explained that while Wigan were by far the better team and Hull KR could have no complaints about the result, there were questions to be asked about “certain decisions”.

“We are facing world champions and they have shown that they are world champions for a reason. They showed they were the benchmark of the competition,” explained Peters as his initial assessment of the game, before testing some of the decisions that didn’t go the Robins’ way.

“There were a few things there I wasn’t happy with,” explained the Aussie when asked about his woes, which saw his fourth official in the first innings.

Continuing, he added: “I just want to get clarification on an escort and what she looks like. There were a couple of offsides and things in the ruck, but we were beaten today by Wigan, who are a much better team.

“Yes, there was some frustration with certain decisions that were made, there’s no doubt about that, but we were beaten by Wigan.”

Pushed further on his grievances, Peters was once again quick to clarify that despite the frustration, none of the issues caused the defeat. Instead, he talked about his team’s need to be accountable, but that doesn’t mean he wants problems to go unsolved.

He said: “I would hate to see in major games some decisions that impact on these bigger games, but certainly the referees had no impact on the final score today.

“Like I said though, in the big games, there was no particular moment today either, but the moments in the games and winning those key moments are important. We wanted to start fast and we didn’t. We had something against us that I think was against us and we didn’t defend it.

“That’s where we have to be better and that’s where I will admit as a coach and the players will own. I would just like to get some clarification on certain things that have been made, decisions that have been made.”