Ex-Super League playmaker lands major new head coach role

Former Wakefield Trinity star Ben Jeffries has landed himself a new role as head coach of NRLW champions Newcastle Knights.

Australian Jeffries last played in 2012 but spent much of his career in England, starring for both Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Bulls for whom he made a combined 255 appearances.

Jeffries had two separate spells with each club but it was with Trinity where he spent the majority of his time in England, racking up an impressive 77 tries during his 170 appearances for the side.

Since his retirement in 2012 Jeffries has remained in the game and now he’s landed a huge job as head coach of NRLW two time premiers Newcastle Knights.

The Knights have become the force of the NRLW after winning in both 2022 and 2023 and now they’re set to go for the three-peat with Jeffries at the helm.

He has signed a three year deal with the club, something that was confirmed on the site’s website via a statement.

It read: “The nib Newcastle Knights have confirmed the appointment of Ben Jeffries as National Rugby League Women’s premiership Head Coach for the next three years.

“Jeffries brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having spent several years working in professional rugby league systems both in Australia and overseas, including as Head Coach of the Women’s Indigenous All Stars, PNG Women’s National team and the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRLW.”

Newcastle Knights Director of Football Peter Parr said Jeffries was an ideal fit for the role, stating: “Ben is an accomplished coach, with a proven track record in pathways programs.

“This role requires a multi-faceted skill set, as we continue to strive for success on the field, in conjunction with further developing a gold standard pathways program.

“Ben provides us with what we were looking for and we have no doubt the Knights NRLW program will continue to grow under his coaching.”

One of the Knights’ star players is England international Georgia Roche who will learn plenty from Jeffries given she operates in the halves, as he did during his playing days.

Roche helped the Knights lift the title last season in her debut campaign down under after leaving Leeds Rhinos and the 23-year-old could continue to develop under the ex Trinity man, a huge positive for the national set-up.