Two clubs make their move for Justin Holbrook

Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, St Helens and Hull FC are all blessed with top coaches, but that feels true of every single Super League coach in the competition with no bad coaches in the league.

Ian Watson at Huddersfield Giants is still one of the best coaches in the league and Paul Rowley has proved the same at Salford Red Devils whilst Willie Peters at Hull KR is beginning to develop into a great Super League coach.

Wakefield Trinity boss Mark Applegarth deserves amazing credit for turning things around at Belle Vue whilst Andy Last is doing a good job in a tough situation at Castleford Tigers.

We can’t forget Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam who has worked absolute wonders in 2023 whilst the likes of Matt Peet and Paul Wellens are exciting emerging talents, Rohan Smith and Tony Smith from the same family are from a special breed of coaches whilst Daryl Powell has amazing pedigree from his time at the Jungle.

However, many of these coaches have been under pressure at points in this season. Even Paul Wellens, after masterminding a famous World Club Challenge win, was under pressure as the Saints struggled for consistency. The same could be said of Matt Peet at Wigan despite his credit in the bank.

At the bottom Castleford Tigers’ Andy Last and Wakefield Trinity’s Mark Applegarth have been under pressure as was Tony Smith when the club lost seven games in a row.

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.

Now though 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.