Hull KR head coach Willie Peters explained that his choice to leave Mikey Lewis out of the squad for Saturday's fixture against Toulouse was driven by a commitment to the club's "standards" rather than a tactical decision. Lewis had just received a two‑match suspension after being charged with a Grade C offence for "dangerous contact" during the rearranged round‑two clash with Warrington Wolves on Tuesday. The incident involved Lewis's studs striking the ankle of Warrington's Ewan Irwin as Irwin was kicking the ball, leaving Irwin with an injury that now requires scans and could sideline him for Sam Burgess' side.
The suspension arrives at a delicate moment for the 25‑year‑old, who had only recently returned from a four‑match ban for a head‑butt in the previous encounter between the two clubs. While the disciplinary panel has already handed down the punishments, they will only be enforced from Round 25 onward, meaning that both Lewis and teammate Tevita Pangai Jr were technically available for the Toulouse match. Pangai Jr, who was cited three times for "late contact with a passer," also faces a four‑match ban that could see his stint with the Robins end prematurely after his mid‑season signing.
Despite the players being eligible, Peters opted to omit them, stating that the decision was about "upholding standards" now and for the future, and about drawing a clear line on what behaviour the club will tolerate, regardless of a player's stature. He stressed that the team must not become accustomed to a culture where misconduct goes unpunished, because that would only encourage repeat offences.
"We are the most charged team in the competition in terms of disciplinary points," Peters said, noting that Hull KR has accumulated more penalty points than any other side and has had the highest number of players forced to sit on the bench because of infractions. Peters argued that allowing players to escape consequences would erode the club's discipline and ultimately harm on‑field performance.
"Some players have done things without consequence and if you don't have consequence, then you keep repeating those actions," he explained. "It is not about malice or intent in every case, but when repeated behaviour occurs, we have to act." He added that the decision to sit Lewis and Pangai Jr for this week was a clear message that the club will not accept conduct that falls short of its expectations. "It's about what we are going to accept and what we are not going to accept," Peters said.
"No matter who you are, there must be consequences if you breach the standards we set." While acknowledging the short‑term impact of missing two key players, Peters was confident that the move would benefit the club in the long run. "I believe it will help us this year and, more importantly, it will help the club going forward," he said.
"We want a standard that we uphold consistently." Peters also made it clear that he still values Lewis's contributions when he is aligned with the team's expectations. "We are a better team with Mikey Lewis in it," he said, recalling the positive influence Lewis has had over the years. "He had a strong impact defensively in his first game back and showed many positive actions." However, Peters noted that Lewis still has areas to improve and that the coaching staff will continue to work with him on those aspects. "There are certain things he needs to develop and he is aware of that," the coach said.
"We keep the conversation open and we are supportive of Mikey, but we also expect him to meet the standards we set." Looking ahead, the earliest Lewis could return to the lineup is the final round of the regular season, assuming he serves his suspension and maintains the required conduct. Peters believes that by reinforcing discipline now, the squad will be better positioned to finish the campaign strongly and to build a culture of accountability for future seasons. The broader context of the disciplinary issues highlights a growing concern within the Super League about player conduct. Hull KR's recent spate of infractions has placed them at the top of the league's disciplinary table, prompting the coaching staff to take a firmer stance.
The club hopes that this approach will not only curb future incidents but also set an example for other teams. Fans can continue to follow Hull KR's progress through Sky Sports, which will broadcast every Super League match live this season.
Two matches each round will be shown exclusively live on the main channel, while the remaining five fixtures will be available on Sky Sports+. Ticket information and the latest league table are also accessible via the club's official channels.