Hull KR boss Willie Peters reacts after weakened Salford Red Devils squad leaves League Leaders' Shield hopes in tatters

[josie andrews]

Single-minded Hull KR boss Willie Peters insists Salford Red Devils' decision to rest players and effectively gift Wigan Warriors the League Leaders' Shield they have battled for all season is none of his concern.

Peters, whose team are two points behind the leaders heading into the final round of the regular campaign, has taken an admirable stance in biting his tongue despite widespread condemnation across the sport.

Salford secured their Super League play-off place with a thumping win at Hull FC and could yet claim fourth spot but Paul Rowley's 21-man squad for Thursday's game at Wigan includes just four players who featured last week.

The Red Devils will either play Leigh Leopards at home or St Helens away in next week's eliminators, depending on the result of the fixture between their two rivals on Friday.

Asked about Rowley's decision to rest players en masse, Peters said: "That's none of our business or concern

"Naturally, if they don't field a strong team, you know what the result is going to be. Wigan would be hard to beat no matter who Salford play.

"But that's out of our hands. What we can control is our prep and what we do on Friday."

Wigan were originally due to face Salford on Friday night at the same time as KR's home clash with Leeds Rhinos.

However, the game at the Brick Community Stadium was brought forward by 24 hours at late notice following the Warriors' win over Leeds last Friday.

That decision left the Red Devils facing a shorter turnaround, increasing the potential for injuries heading into a do-or-die play-off tie next week.

Peters refused to be drawn on whether he thought the integrity of the competition had been damaged.

"I just want to talk about Friday," he said.

"If I had a strong opinion on it, I'd bring it up, but the focus for me is what we do on Friday night.

"If teams decide to do that because they think they've got an opportunity to win the week after, it's none of my business.

"I'll leave that to the RFL. It's up to Salford to make that decision. All I care about is Friday and us preparing for our game.

"I'm not worried about any other team; I'm just worried about what we do.

"Other people can talk about it but I'm not going to comment on it because I'm just focused on what we're doing."

The final round matches were played on the same night in 2023 but there are games across three days this week, including Saturday's standalone fixture between Hull and Catalans Dragons.

The staggered schedule could create a scenario where both teams know exactly what they need, in Hull's case to avoid last place and the wooden spoon.

"This might be selfish but I haven't even thought about it, added Peters.

"If it hinders other teams and that's what they're thinking about, I can't control that.

"If we go win, we finish two top. If Wigan lose and we win, we finish first. If we lose and Warrington win, we finish third.

"All I'm concerned about is us going to do a job on Friday."

KR's hopes of claiming the League Leaders' Shield may be over – barring a miracle in the Wigan game – but a top-two finish brings rich rewards in the form of a home semi-final and a much-needed week off.

Third-placed Warrington Wolves, who host lowly London Broncos, are ready to pounce should Rovers slip up.

Regardless of the outcome of Friday's matches, the Robins are guaranteed their highest-ever Super League finish.

"Every team in the competition wants a top-two position," said Peters.

"At the start of the year, everyone is in a position to chase that and as the season progresses teams fall away. It's down to two now for the final spot. Warrington are chasing a win and we're the same.

"This is the highest we've finished in Super League but we're not finished yet."

KR's chances of securing a top-two spot have been hit by Elliot Minchella's two-game ban for a high tackle in last week's win at Leigh.

Rovers are contesting the grading of the charge in an attempt to make Minchella available for the first game of the play-offs, with that appeal hearing pushed back to next week at the club's request.

"It's with the people above me but the final decision will be made next week," said Peters.

"Mini is a big loss. He's been inspirational for us on and off the field all year – but whoever comes in will certainly do the job."

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... rs-4786072

[the pieman]

he cant complain as he did exactly the same in the game before the CC final last year

[Firestarter]

Isnt big willie turning into a bit of a hypocrite? Or should i call him little willie ?

[josie andrews]

Found this someone posted on Twitter this afternoon a right going on between fans


A gentle reminder for any KR fans going on about integrity after Salford's squad announcement.

This was the KR squad facing Wigan last season a week before the cup final..

You're not their priority..

https://x.com/duggystand/status/1836037 ... 15173?s=61

[Mike]

Isnt big willie turning into a bit of a hypocrite? Or should i call him little willie ?

Is he? He didn't complain did he?

[widdenoldboy]

Isnt big willie turning into a bit of a hypocrite? Or should i call him little willie ?

Is he? He didn't complain did he?

Fair point and the journo seemed to asking leading questions that he dodged, I think a few KR fans have weighed in and need the reminder of what KR did themselves

[fozzie58]

he cant complain as he did exactly the same in the game before the CC final last year

Indeed he did.

[Charriots Offiah]

I think he will be seething privately.

[josie andrews]

RFL ask Salford Red Devils for answers after making mass squad changes

The governing body have contacted the Super League club.

Salford Red Devils have been asked to explain the changes they have made to their squad for their game against Wigan Warriors on Thursday. The Reds have made an astonishing 17 changes to their 21-man squad for the trip to face Matt Peet's side, who must win to secure the League Leaders' Shield.

Salford secured their place in the play-offs last week, with their victory over Hull FC guaranteeing they will end the season in the top six regardless of their result and those including the teams around them. They need a win to guarantee a top four finish, which would give them a home tie in the quarter-finals, though they would still finish fourth if Leigh beat St Helens.

However, Paul Rowley has instead opted to prioritise rest and recovery, with all of his star players given the week off ahead of the eliminators. That said, the RFL operational rules state that "each club shall take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout each match to ensure that its team gives its best efforts in an attempt to win the match and/or of obtaining the best possible score of the match."

An RFL spokesperson has confirmed to Rugby League Live that Salford have been asked to explain the nature of their squad, and they will be required to provide evidence to show why so many of their players have been deemed unavailable for selection this week.

Of course, it isn't the first time this has happened. Just last year, Hull KR made a plethora of changes to their squad ahead of the Challenge Cup Final, while Warrington Wolves did the same earlier this year. Ironically, the Robins needed Salford to win to keep their aspirations of winning the League Leaders' Shield alive.

Salford's fixture against Wigan was moved forward at short notice last week, which meant they only had a five-day turnaround heading into the fixture. Furthermore, it's believed that a number of Salford's players would be over the workload limits the RFL is implementing next year, which is likely to be an explanation provided to excuse some of their players.

The likelihood is that, given the nature of rugby league, there will be medical evidence to show that most players are playing with some form of injury and there will be no further action. If Salford were unable to do that, they would be in breach of the operational rules.Salford Red Devils have been asked to explain the changes they have made to their squad for their game against Wigan Warriors on Thursday. The Reds have made an astonishing 17 changes to their 21-man squad for the trip to face Matt Peet's side, who must win to secure the League Leaders' Shield.

Salford secured their place in the play-offs last week, with their victory over Hull FC guaranteeing they will end the season in the top six regardless of their result and those including the teams around them. They need a win to guarantee a top four finish, which would give them a home tie in the quarter-finals, though they would still finish fourth if Leigh beat St Helens.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ls-9561801

[josie andrews]

So! It’s okay for other clubs to make wholesale changes to their squads for games but not Salford?

You’re not telling me that this hasn’t come from the Yorkshire press & HKR having complained to the RFL!

If they hadn’t changed the game at such short notice they may not have had this problem with Salford!

Move their game to Thursday also or just move both games back to Friday.

And how come HKR can have the Tribunal deferred from this evening? https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... ng-9560663

So it’s "knives out" from HKR & the Yorkshire Mafia to try & make sure the RFL give them an 70/30 % chance of winning the SL! Can’t let that Wigan Warriors start winning things again!!

Yorkshire barstewards


We best not let that happen!