Ex-Leeds Rhinos boss says the NRL is “the best competition” and admits he wasn’t good enough in the past to make the switch

For the first time in his career, Super League’s most successful coach Brian McDermott is headed down under.

The former Leeds Rhinos and Featherstone Rovers boss has joined Newcastle Knights as assistant coach and described it as a big move for himself.

“Pretty big, it’s been a big move. I think the whole process, when it was confirmed that I was coming it dawned on me just how big of a move this is,” McDermott said on the club’s website.

“Not just the logistics of getting out here, but a career path. It’s a fortunate thing to happen.”

A big move for his career, perhaps because he believes the NRL is the “best competition.”

He explained that he was not good enough in the past as a player to make the move over but now as a coach he has the opportunity and can’t ignore it:

“I think any English man wants to test himself against the best competition and that’s the NRL, I didn’t have that chance as a player as I wasn’t that good but now I do as a coach.”

He also explained who the move came about:

“I had a conversation with Adam O’Brien some weeks ago before the job was confirmed, I spoke to him on zoom and there was a connection instantly some of his philosophies so we carried on speaking and as things panned out there was an opportunity and I was on the plane instantly.

“I can sense that pressure and expectation.”