Willie Peters given Hull KR head start as Tony Smith sacking allows new regime to implement change

Willie Peters might not have landed in the UK yet, he won't for several more months. But his influence on Hull Kingston Rovers begins now.

The Australian still has loose ends to tie up down under but with Tony Smith now gone, crucial indents can be made around on-field matters that will allow Peters to hit the ground running when he does eventually arrive in the country.

Danny McGuire will be the man to steer the ship for the rest of the season, fresh from signing a new long-term contract to act as Peters' assistant. Contact between the pair is daily now. With McGuire now in charge, it allows the incoming head coach to implement some of his beliefs and plan for next year from afar.

Read more: Danny McGuire has no time to dwell on new Hull KR role with season on brink of collapse

The first obvious example of that coming to fruition is the early arrival of Louis Senior. The Huddersfield Giants winger had agreed to join Rovers in 2023 but with Smith now gone it has allowed the club to draft him in early and begin the settling-in period that goes with switching clubs. That would have never happened if Smith was still in charge but it will do Senior no harm.

Having Peters' coaching staff already at Craven Park made the decision to part ways with Smith easy. With form alarmingly dipping and a change clearly needed, clearing the path for the new regime to get a headstart on their preparations for next year was a no-brainer.

How much change McGuire and co look to push through at such a critical stage of the season is the difficult part. It's not like Rovers have nothing to play for. This period can't be a pre-pre-season.

But there are perhaps some subtle changes to be made. The coaching staff can begin working with individuals