Willie Peters magnanimous in defeat as Hull KR boss confirms injury blow
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
Hull KR coach Willie Peters said he was disappointed but proud after his side fell to an agonising defeat to Wigan in golden point extra-time.
The Robins were 22-18 ahead with seconds left on the clock before Wigan winger Abbas Miski scored as the full-time hooter sounded to send the game in to golden point.
Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis came close to sealing the win for the hosts in extra-time as he struck the post with his drop-goal attempt, but it was Wigan who claimed the two points after a bit of magic from Bevan French sent Liam Farrell over for a try to seal a 26-22 win for the Warriors.
Speaking after the game, Peters revealed that Ethan Ryan could be out for a lengthy period after suffering a suspected broken jaw in the game.
The Ireland international, who is primarily a winger, was filling the void at full-back in the absence of Scotland international Lachlan Coote, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
Willie Peters admitted disappointment at losing, but said there were plenty of positives to take.
He said: “I’m disappointed for the players with the amount of effort that was put in, because I thought the game was getting away from us but we fought back then let it slip.
“But I’m extremely proud of them at the same time.
“It’s about small margins – there were centimetres in it and if it (Lewis’s kick) goes the other way, we win the game. There’s plenty of positives to take, there’s no doubt about that.”
Willie Peters makes top four admission
Hull KR would have leapfrogged Wigan in to second spot in the Super League table if they had won, but they remain on course for a play-off finish after an impressive start to the 2023 campaign.
Peters added: “We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re striving and working hard to be a top four club.
“We’re in a decent position now but we’ve got to start to win those close games.
“What we can hold onto is the way we competed, it was just about a few bits of execution and defence.”
Next up for Hull KR is a clash with Salford at Magic Weekend in Newcastle next Saturday, 1:30pm kick-off.
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