Hull KR coach Willie Peters makes Mikey Lewis targeted claim as request to referees made

[josie andrews]

Hull KR coach Peters expects Mikey Lewis to 'give as much as he gets' during Wigan battle

Hull Kingston Rovers coach Willie Peters believes people are going out of their way to upset half-back Mikey Lewis - and wants officials to keep an eye on it.

With a huge game awaiting for first-placed Rovers, away against second-placed Wigan Warriors on Friday night, Peters knows that the next step for Lewis is to go to a place like Wigan and dominate and be in control of his game, even if that does not necessarily mean tries and assists. Peters believes "there's still improvement in Mikey, and there's still improvement in Hull KR" - but he has seen Lewis come in for some special treatment.

Peters said: "As a coach, you're looking at it sometimes and go, 'didn't they see that?' Players are going out of their way now to try to upset him but he is handling it extremely well. He comes up with a fat lip or swollen eye, things that have been done in a tackle that haven't been seen. I'd like the officials to be able to keep an eye on that.


"I think, in the past, there's no doubt - and I've spoken to Mikey about it - that he has probably carried on at times. He has done some things where it's like 'Mick, come on mate, get up'. But certainly looking at him now, over the past year, past six months, he just gets on with it.

"Players like Mikey will always go close to that line. But you look at the best players all over the world, that's how they play. He plays his best when he is in the game, he is competing hard, and he is playing physical

Asked if similar kind of treatment is expected from Wigan, he said: "He gets it all the time. He's a key player for us so it's all part and parcel of being the quality player that he is. But you want to make sure that you protect him as well, and that it's all legal. But he'll probably give as much as he gets."

Rovers are waiting until later in the week to confirm where things stand with Joe Burgess, who has had a hamstring problem, and Oliver Gildart, who has been out after a head knock. But Peters said that they did not sustain any new injuries from the most recent game, Friday night's 32-12 home win over Salford Red Devils.

Looking ahead to the Wigan game, Peters said: "The players will be excited, there's no doubt about that, as Wigan's would be as well. It's a first versus second game, whoever wins this is top; a game that players want to play in and fans want to see. We've got 2,000 fans going over to Wigan to watch the game and support the team. There's a great buzz. But we still know what our job is.

"There's going to be a lot of class players on show on both sides. We are in the entertainment business and they will entertain on Friday night on both sides."

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... 4776833d50

[josie andrews]

Looks like Peters is trying to influence the referees before a ball has been kicked!

[Blackpool_Pie]

I like Mikey Lewis generally. He's good for the sport and a very exciting player, but I honestly don't think I've seen him get any worse treatment than your average half in RL.

[josie andrews]

I like Mikey Lewis generally. He's good for the sport and a very exciting player, but I honestly don't think I've seen him get any worse treatment than your average half in RL.

Neither have I, so think he’s just trying it on before the game starts!

[morley pie eater]

So I take it that "giving as good as he gets" includes putting his hand in an opponent's mouth and then claiming he was bitten?

I'll say this for Lewis - he's a great player, and he has toned down the naughty bits to some extent, unlike, for example, Jake Conner. Conner is just as highly talented but has ruined his career by being a complete grub, as his coach once called him.

Lewis might just make it, but if Peters is a truly good coach, he will have said this to the press, but be telling Lewis to rein it in.

[Blackpool_Pie]

I like Mikey Lewis generally. He's good for the sport and a very exciting player, but I honestly don't think I've seen him get any worse treatment than your average half in RL.

Neither have I, so think he’s just trying it on before the game starts!

Absolutely

[Wiganer Ted]

All this about Lewis is nothing more than Peters playing mind games.

[widdenoldboy]

All this about Lewis is nothing more than Peters playing mind games.

Add in possible "injuries" to other players then, yes, its mind games.

Lewis is usually the instigator with wind ups and pushing his hand into opposition players faces, the refs need to clamp down on the latter.

[Firestarter]

Looks like Peters is trying to influence the referees before a ball has been kicked!

He also sounds like he knows hes gonna get plenty of attension. Oh dear he might get tackled hard

[Firestarter]

All this about Lewis is nothing more than Peters playing mind games.

Add in possible "injuries" to other players then, yes, its mind games.

Lewis is usually the instigator with wind ups and pushing his hand into opposition players faces, the refs need to clamp down on the latter.

Definately