There has been a significant connection between Leeds Rhinos and the coaching staff at Hull KR recently.
Tony Smith has been in charge of the Robins over the last few years working the same kind of miracles at Craven Park as he once did at Headingley when he ended Leeds’ 32-year wait for a title in 2004 before delivering the world title in 2005 and a second Grand Final in 2007.
At Hull KR he has guided them to both the Super League and Challenge Cup semi-finals within 12 months. However, his tenure has now come to an end after a poor run of form catalysed by the news he would be leaving at the end of the year with Hull KR subsequently opting to part company sooner rather than later.
His departure means Danny McGuire’s coaching debut will come in a Hull derby at the Magic Weekend – a huge occasion.
McGuire is used to them as an eight-time Super League Champion with Leeds winning eight out of nine Grand Finals and scoring eight Grand Final tries with the Rhinos before joining Hull KR in 2018 prior to taking on a coaching role at the club.
Set for his first game in charge, McGuire has been given a huge boost with a former teammate of his taking on a coaching role alongside him.
The man in question is Brett Delaney who played alongside McGuire at Leeds in the 2011, 2012 and 2015 Grand Finals and was still a member of the Leeds squad when McGuire left as a Super League Champion in 2017.
An aggressive forward who would never take a backwards step, he’ll give Hull KR extra bite as their new forwards coach.
Delaney has coaching experience after a stint with York City Knights which comes to an end due to this move.
He joins the Robins until the end of 2023.
