Lee Briers should be the new number-one target for Hull FC in the club’s hunt for a new head coach following the surprising news that Paul Rowley knocked them back.
Hull FC thought they had the perfect man to lead them into their new era with the club making an offer to Paul Rowley, however, his rejection has left them back to square one in their hunt for a head coach.
It had been widely reported that Hull FC and their new Director of Rugby Richie Myler had placed Salford’s head coach atop their wish list, with Hull-born Jon Wilkin revealing that he’d been informed that it was a ‘done deal’.
In spite of that, the Red Devils released a statement of their own confirming that Rowley would remain committed and oversee the “project underway” at Salford which marked a major blow for Hull FC.
Hull FC and their coaching checklist
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Under Paul Rowley, Hull FC would have certainly found a brand and an identity in their playstyle which is what makes the 49-year-old such a highly sought-after coach.
For multiple years Rowley has worked wonders on a budget, financial constraints being something he wouldn’t have been hampered by at the MKM Stadium, whilst also developing a style that has seen Salford viewed as one of Super League’s most entertaining teams.
With Rowley’s refusal, the Black and Whites need to quickly eye up and make an offer to another coach with the pressure and anticipation increasing hour by hour for Richie Myler and those at Hull FC.
Rowley offered such a specific skill set that it’s easy to understand why he was the club’s number one choice, but one man who would bring plenty of those same talents is Lee Briers.
Why Lee Briers is the man for Hull FC
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Lee Briers is a familiar name from his playing days with the ex-Warrington Wolves legend boasting 380 Super League appearances, however, he’s still somewhat unknown in the coaching realm.
At least he remains an unknown quantity as a head coach, Briers’ roles so far have seen him serve as an assistant at Warrington, Wigan and now Brisbane Broncos.
Down under he has been an important player in the Broncos creating a lethal attack that saw them score 639 points in 2023, second-only to champions Penrith, whilst they’ve also scored the third-most points in 2024 despite being without star man Reece Walsh for two of their seven games.
Briers transformed Brisbane’s attack with their 2022 average of 21.83 points per game (9th in the NRL) shooting to 26.63 (2nd in the NRL) under his guidance, testament to the talents of the ex-Wire man.
Attack is certainly a department that Hull FC need help with, the Black and Whites having scored just 86 points, only winless London Broncos scoring more than that.
That average of just 10.75 points per game drops to just 8.3 when you remove FC’s 28-24 win against London from the record, highlighting the need for somebody like Briers who can get an attack ticking.
“He can pick teams apart” – What Brisbane’s playing group say about Briers
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Brisbane Broncos play Wests Tigers on Saturday and they’re set to be without star player Adam Reynolds meaning that 24-year-old Jock Madden will deputies in the halves.
It could easily be an overwhelming task for Madden to lead the Broncos against his former team but he’s shone in his three appearances already this season, in large parts thanks to Briers.
“Lee has been massive for me,” Madden told the Canberra Times.
“He doesn’t get mentioned as much as he should. He’s helped me so much with my attack, just simplifying my game, my role, and getting the best out of me in that way.
“He’s a really smart man. He can pick teams apart and always comes in with a strong game plan every week.”
That sort of guidance is exactly what the likes of Morgan Smith and Jake Trueman (when he returns from injury) would require with the pair being relatively raw despite their combined 150+ Super League games.
The Sam Burgess effect
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One of the major drawbacks to a hire such as Lee Briers would be his lack of experience as a head coach, that level of experience being zero.
However, any sceptics should be directed to the current success that Warrington Wolves are having under Sam Burgess with the former NRL star shining in his debut season as the main man.
Burgess could well be the exception to the rule but that shouldn’t put Richie Myler off hiring someone like Briers. After all, Myler is a complete novice in his own role anyway so should be a big advocate that experience isn’t the be-all and end-all.
Briers would bring a hunger to the role and a new perspective having garnered plenty of knowledge during his 18 months down under, whilst having also worked at a successful Super League side in Wigan Warriors.
During Briers’ time at Wigan, the club lifted the Challenge Cup whilst Brisbane have gone from outside the playoffs to making the Grand Final within his first year down under.
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Moreover, it seems that Briers is ready for the role. He had previously told the BBC: “I’m ready now, I’m ready to be a head coach if that’s now or in a few years’ time. I love it at the Broncos and I’m learning how to manage.”
One thing that he did note was that the ‘job has to be right’, explaining: “With coaching, there aren’t many jobs out there, but my ambition is to be a head coach whether that be in the NRL or Super League,
“All I can keep doing is getting that experience and wait until that job comes. I’m not in a rush, I could be an assistant for the rest of my life.”
It remains to be seen whether Briers is even approached by Hull FC, and if he is then whether he thinks that the Hull FC job is the right opportunity for him.
