Big update for Super League clubs as Justin Holbrook begins talks with new club

Justin Holbrook will go down as one of the great Super League coaches with his three year spell at St Helens setting the foundations for their current era of dominance, with Holbrook himself presiding over the first of their four consecutive Grand Final wins.

Holbrook took over in 2017 and his three year stint saw an impressive 70 wins from 87 games culminating in victory at Old Trafford over Salford Red Devils.

From that point Kristian Woolf took over at the Totally Wicked Stadium with Holbrook heading back down under to the NRL where he joined the Gold Coast Titans as their head coach.

After a difficult 2022 season and just six wins from thirteen for the Titans this season Holbrook was removed of his duties as head coach and sent on his way, a decision that caught him by surprise at the time as he explained to The Daily Telegraph.

“I just can’t believe it, I feel awful. Totally gutted,” Holbrook told the Telegraph.

“I did not see this coming at all, that’s what I am pissed off about.

“I could understand if they said, ‘Look you have three games or whatever time period to do something’, but to be moved on like this, I’m still coming to terms with it.

“If they were a bit more open about the way things were heading, I would have been able to digest this, but it’s hit me out of the blue.”

With Holbrook available there was plenty of speculation about a possible return to Super League and at one point Jenna Brooks reported on Sky Sports’ that Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants were reportedly interested,

The Giants immediately shut that down and the rumours died down until last week when The Mole of Wide World Of Sports stated that several Super League clubs were interested in acquiring Holbrook, with St Helens being on that list as well.

Further reports today from the Sydney Morning Herald have likely crushed those dreams with confirmation that Newcastle Knights have held talks with Holbrook.

Current Knights’ boss Adam O’Brien has been informed of the meeting however they’re currently on a four game winning streak and sit just one point outside the playoffs.

If Holbrook were to join the Knights immediately he’d get to coach former Man of Steel Jackson Hastings and England international Dom Young who currently leads the NRL in tries with 20 in 18 games.