Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has explained why he chose to leave Mikey Lewis out of the squad for Saturday's clash with Toulouse, stressing that the decision was driven by a commitment to the club's standards rather than the immediate disciplinary situation. Lewis received a two‑match suspension after being charged with a Grade C offence for dangerous contact during the rearranged round two match against Warrington Wolves on Tuesday. In that incident, Lewis's studs struck the ankle of Warrington's Ewan Irwin as Irwin was kicking the ball, leaving Irwin with an injury concern that required further scans by Sam Burgess' side. The sanction arrives just as the 25‑year‑old was returning from a previous four‑match ban for a headbutt in an earlier encounter with Warrington.
Peters also noted that teammate Tevita Pangai‑Jr faces a four‑match suspension after being cited three times for late contact with a passer, a penalty that could potentially end his short‑lived tenure with the Robins after joining mid‑season. Although the disciplinary panel has already handed down the bans, they will not take effect until Round 25, meaning both Lewis and Pangai‑Jr were technically eligible for selection against Toulouse. Peters, however, elected to keep both players out of the match‑day squad, arguing that it was essential to "uphold standards" now and for the future, drawing a clear line about what behaviour the club will tolerate, regardless of a player's status. The coach highlighted that Hull KR currently tops the league in disciplinary points, a statistic that underscores the need for a stricter approach.
"We have been given the most points out of any other team in the competition and had the most players sitting on the sideline," Peters said. He warned that when actions go unpunished, they become repeatable habits. "Some players have done things without consequence and if you don't have consequence, then you keep repeating those actions," he added. Peters made it clear that the decision was not about personal grudges or a single incident, but about establishing a culture where repeated infractions are met with tangible repercussions.
"There are times when it's not deliberate or there's no malice, but when there's repeated effort, we've decided not to play those two this week. It's more about our standards, what we're going to accept or what we're not going to accept," he explained.
The coach believes that enforcing such standards will benefit the team this season and, more importantly, set a lasting precedent for the club's future. "If we're not upholding that, no matter who you are, then there needs to be consequence and that's what we've chosen to do," he concluded. While acknowledging the short‑term impact of missing two key players, Peters admitted that the team performs better when Lewis is on the field and aligned with the club's expectations.
"We are a better team, obviously, with Mikey Lewis in it and we've shown that over the years," he said. He praised Lewis's defensive contributions in his first game back, noting that the youngster made numerous positive actions and had a strong impact.
However, Peters also pointed out areas where Lewis must improve, emphasizing that the coaching staff maintains open conversations with him and remains supportive of his development. "He is obviously going to sit a few weeks on the sidelines, and we'll see where it goes. But as I said, we're a better team with Mikey Lewis in it and when he is in line with the standards everyone wants to uphold," Peters added.
The suspension means the earliest Lewis could return is the final round of the regular season, a timeline that underscores the coach's willingness to accept short‑term setbacks for long‑term cultural gains. By taking a firm stance now, Peters hopes to deter future incidents and reinforce a message that disciplinary breaches will be met with consistent penalties, regardless of a player's reputation or importance to the squad. Hull KR's approach reflects a broader trend in the Super League, where clubs are increasingly scrutinised for on‑field conduct.
With Sky Sports broadcasting every match live this season and additional games available on Sky Sports+, the visibility of disciplinary issues has never been higher. Peters' decision therefore serves both as an internal corrective measure and a public statement of the club's values, aiming to preserve the integrity of the game while fostering a disciplined, respectful playing environment for all involved.