Hadley urges Peters successor to keep winning playbook

Hull Kingston Rovers forward Dean Hadley has urged whoever replaces outgoing coach Willie Peters not to rip up the club's successful "playbook".

The 33-year-old has thrived under Australian coach Peters, who announced last week that he will leave the club after this summer to take up the job of head coach at new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs.

He has led the Robins to the most successful period in their history, winning all three domestic trophies last season and then adding the World Club Challenge by beating Brisbane Broncos in February.

Hadley was asked by BBC Radio Humberside what message he would send to the new coach, who is yet to be decided, and said: "You don't want to rip up the playbook. It is about continuing the good work we are doing.

"I'm sure whoever takes over as coach will have their own ideas and thoughts, and tweak a few things, but a lot of the stuff is to maintain.

"You don't really change the work ethic and that good culture, and having a good group of players who are prepared to work really hard and defensively be on it."

Hadley himself has had a golden autumn to his career, becoming an integral part of Peters' all-conquering team, and he credits the former Wigan Warriors and Widnes scrum-half with the improvements in his game.

"It's been my best three or four years and he's had a huge impact on everybody at the club, me personally as well," he added.

"I've loved the last three or four years but it's been tough. There's still more to be achieved. I appreciate everything he has done for me personally but as a team he's done loads for us and will be missed.

"Willie is really big on world-class effort, which is not always outcome-based but effort-based, and that comes from training and your pre-season.

"You saw on Friday night that we scored a lot of points, and some nice tries, but it came from our defence and that's always been the focus, and where our success has come from.

"From day one he set his tone, and told us how he wants his team to look. That comes from training. The training is pretty tough and intense, especially pre-season, but you get the rewards off the back of that so it's been a good three or four years."

Hadley said nothing has changed in the wake of the news, and that Peters and his players are intent to build on their unprecedented trophy clean sweep.

Hull KR are ninth in Super League with two wins and three defeats from their first five matches and play Hull FC in the 250th Hull derby on Friday (12:30 BST).

Hadley said: "He's as keen as ever, he's intense, he's detailed to everything, game day and training. He's always on it. The hunger and drive to be successful is still there, if not more.

"We've created some good memories and there's more to come. We're hungry for more trophies and that's the message."