Throughout Super League history we have had some of the finest coaches such as Leeds Rhinos and Brian McDermott or Shaun Wane at Wigan Warriors, the likes of Daniel Anderson and Kristian Woolf at St Helens, Brian Noble at Bradford Bulls and we cannot forget Tony Smith after his time at Huddersfield Giants, Leeds, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and now at Hull FC.
Even now in Super League we have top coaches in the shape of up and comers like Matt Peet and Paul Wellens, men like Rohan Smith who built up a fantastic knowledge base outside of Super League and the NRL or indeed those who have developed vast experience in Super League in the shape of Paul Rowley, Ian Watson and of course Daryl Powell.
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.
Interestingly, two appears to be the magic number with two clubs now in talks with Holbrook with Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers having talks with Holbrook.
The Tigers have Tim Sheens in charge with the plan set to see Benji Marshall to replace him soon but Holbrook is being seen as a plan B.
Meanwhile, Canterbury have Cameron Ciraldo in charge.
