Secret meeting held with Justin Holbrook over shock move

Super League is awash with top coaches at Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Leigh Leopards and Hull FC. In fact, there is certainly not a bad coach in the competition at this present moment.

Andy Last is battling away at Castleford Tigers and Mark Applegarth has done a spectacular job turning things around at Wakefield Trinity.

Huddersfield Giants may be struggling in 2023 but Ian Watson’s amazing past speaks for itself and he and Paul Rowley at Salford Red Devils are two excellent coaches to place in charge of long term projects.

Over at Hull KR, Willie Peters is emerging into the next great find from Australia following in the footsteps of Leeds boss Rohan Smith last year.

His uncle Tony Smith at Hull FC continues to show why he might be the best coach in Super League history as his long time rival Steve McNamara continues to fire Catalans Dragons to success.

Adrian Lam has shocked the league at Leigh Leopards, Matt Peet and Paul Welllens are amazing emerging British coaches and Daryl Powell has great history behind him.

However, plenty of these coaches have been under pressure this year.

In June though it was Rohan Smith, Powell and Watson under pressure so when Justin Holbrook became available it wasn’t a surprise to see Jenna Brooks link all three to the former St Helens coach after his Gold Coast Titans exit.

Warrington denied the links whilst Huddersfield said they were “dismayed and totally furious” with the “malicious rumours.”

Rohan Smith meanwhile responded with three wins in a row.

Recently the Daily Telegraph has reported that two Super League clubs have also “sounded out” the former Saints boss.

Who these clubs are remains unknown.

Now though there are reports that two NRL clubs have made their move for Holbrook.

These are the Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs. The Tigers are led by Tim Sheens but the plan is for Benji Marshall to take over.

Holbrook is being seen as a plan B.

As for Canterbury, Phil Gould has had talks with him even though Cameron Ciraldo is currently in the role.

Now St George Illawarra Dragons have joined the race with the club approaching him as a potential assistant to Shane Flanagan.

So could Holbrook go from the Saints of England to the Saints of Australia. Well reported “secret talks” have been held about the surprise switch.

Thus it seems, despite being “sounded out” by two Super League clubs, he won’t be back in the UK.