Former Hull FC and Hull KR half-back Paul Cooke has called on Hull KR to take stronger disciplinary action against Mikey Lewis following the player’s recent suspension. Lewis is currently serving a four-match ban after being sanctioned for a late hit on Warrington Wolves half-back Ewan Irwin and a headbutt on Adam Holroyd during a recent game. As a result, Lewis missed Hull KR’s derby fixture against Hull FC last week.

Cooke criticized Lewis’s conduct, describing the incidents as reckless and harmful to both the team and the sport. He expressed particular concern over the headbutt, which he said came “from behind” and had the potential to cause serious injury. Cooke noted that such behavior, especially from a player regarded as a key strategist on the field, was “brainless” and detrimental to Hull KR’s prospects.

The incidents involving Lewis are not isolated. Earlier in the season, Lewis was involved in a trip on York Knights player Liam Harris, which did not result in a formal punishment. Cooke urged the club to intervene more effectively, emphasizing that Lewis needed to adopt greater self-discipline and leadership. He added that if Lewis’s absence due to suspension led to lost matches, it could jeopardize Hull KR’s position in the league and threaten their chances of reaching the Grand Final or finishing in the top six.

While Cooke did not specify what form such intervention should take, he expressed skepticism about monetary fines alone being sufficient to alter Lewis’s behavior, suggesting the issue requires a more substantial change.

To illustrate a possible path for Lewis’s improvement, Cooke pointed to Jake Connor, now a standout player at Leeds Rhinos. Connor was once seen as a controversial figure during his time at Hull FC but has since matured both on and off the field. Cooke highlighted comments from Leeds coach Brad Arthur, who praised Connor for his deep understanding of rugby league and his mental resilience. According to Arthur, Connor’s ability to keep calm, make smarter decisions, and communicate respectfully with teammates has elevated his game.

Cooke concluded that Lewis could benefit from adopting a similar approach, underscoring the importance of being a better role model and showing respect within and beyond the sport. He challenged Lewis to learn from Connor’s example in order to steer his career back on track and to better fulfill his role as a leader for Hull KR.