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Justin Holbrook

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Justin Holbrook
Personal information
Full nameJustin Holbrook
Born (1976-01-13) 13 January 1976 (age 48)
Australia
Playing information
PositionHalfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1999–00 Newcastle Knights 5 2 10 0 28
2001 Penrith Panthers 8 1 0 0 4
2002 Sydney Roosters 4 1 13 0 30
Total 17 4 23 0 62
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2017–19 St Helens 87 70 0 17 80
2020–23 Gold Coast Titans 81 30 0 51 37
Total 168 100 0 68 60
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2023 PNG PM's XIII 1 0 0 1 0
2023 Papua New Guinea 3 2 0 1 67
Source: [1][2]
As of 5 November 2023

Justin Holbrook (born 13 January 1976) is an Australian professional rugby league coach and former player who is currently an assistant coach with the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL).

He previously coached St Helens in the Super League, the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, and Papua New Guinea. He played as a goal-kicking halfback in the 1990s and 2000s for the Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.[1]

Playing career

Holbrook commenced his National Rugby League career with the Newcastle Knights in 1999 under coach Warren Ryan. He spent the 2001 NRL season with the Penrith Panthers under coach Royce Simmons. For the 2002 NRL season Holbrook played for the Sydney Roosters under coach Ricky Stuart. That year he played for the Roosters in the first ever ANZAC Day Cup match, kicking a goal. 2002 would be Holbrook's last season at the top level.[citation needed]

Coaching career

Holbrook turned to coaching after retiring from playing. He worked on the coaching staff of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, St George Illawarra and Parramatta before joining the Sydney Roosters as right-hand man to Trent Robinson.[3] Holbrook also coached at representative level for Australia (under-21).[2]

St Helens

He was appointed to replace Keiron Cunningham as head coach of English Super League club St. Helens.[4]

On 31 July 2019, it was announced that Holbrook signed a contract to become the new head coach at the Gold Coast for the 2020 season. In the weeks leading up to the announcement, Gold Coast Chairman Dennis Watt said that the next coaching appointment at the Gold Coast would be the club's last stand if results were to not improve under the new coach.[5][6]

He was the St. Helens coach in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium.[7]

During the Super League XXIV season, Holbrook guided St Helens to the League Leaders Shield after finishing 16 points clear of second placed Wigan. Holbrook then coached St Helens to their 14th championship win after defeating Salford 23–6 in the 2019 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.[8][9][10]

Gold Coast Titans

Holbrook's reign as the Gold Coast head coach got off to a difficult start with the club losing their first three games. In round 4 against the Wests Tigers, Holbrook guided the club to their first win in 364 days as they won the match 28–23 at Suncorp Stadium.[11] The Gold Coast would go on to finish the 2020 season in 9th position, a major improvement on the previous year in which they finished last.[12] In the 2021 season, Holbrook guided the Gold Coast into the finals for the first time since 2016, as the club finished 8th. They were defeated 24–25 in the first week of the finals by the Sydney Roosters.[13] Following Round 16 of the 2023 season, Holbrook and the Gold Coast Titans agreed to part ways effective immediately. Former Manly Warringah Sea Eagles coach, Des Hasler was signed and is due to take over in 2024. Assistant Coach Jim Lenihan is due to take over for the rest of the season beginning with their Round 17 match against the Brisbane Broncos before Hasler joins[14][15] Following his departure from the Gold Coast club, Holbrook spoke with the media saying "I did not see this coming at all, that’s what I am pissed off about, I could understand if they said, 'Look you have three games or whatever time period to do something', but to be moved on like this, I’m still coming to terms with it".[16]

Papua New Guinea

On 24 August 2023, it was reported that Holbrook had taken a deal to coach the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team for the end of season pacific championship. Holbrook's appointment as head coach is part of Papua New Guinea's strategic approach to creating an internal pathways system which is a part of their bid to join the National Rugby League. On 21 November 2023 it was announced Holbrook will continue as assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters alongside head coach Trent Robinson.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". Rugby League Project. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". Rugby League Project. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ "St Helens confirm surprise appointment of Justin Holbrook as head coach". The Guardian. 4 May 2017.
  4. ^ Bower, Aaron (13 July 2019). "St Helens make shock call and turn to Justin Holbrook to boost season". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  5. ^ "St Helens head coach set to leave Super League leaders for Gold Coast". BBC Sport.
  6. ^ "Coach choice Titans' last stand: chairman". Katherine Times. 15 July 2019.
  7. ^ "St Helens 4-18 Warrington RESULT: Challenge Cup Final as it happened from Wembley". Daily Mirror. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  8. ^ Unwin, Will (12 October 2019). "St Helens 23-6 Salford Red Devils: Super League Grand Final – as it happened". The Guardian.
  9. ^ "St Helens win 2019 Super League League Leaders' shield". Sky Sports.
  10. ^ "St Helens give Justin Holbrook the perfect send-off with commanding Grand Final victory over Salford". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  11. ^ "Holbrook win just the start for Gold Coast". National Rugby League. 7 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Ladder". National Rugby League. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  13. ^ "Roosters v Titans". National Rugby League. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  14. ^ "Lenihan appointed interim coach". Gold Coast Titans. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Club statement: Head coach update". Gold Coast Titans. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  16. ^ "Justin Holbook lets rip at Gold Coast Titans after sacking: 'P***ed off'". au.sports.yahoo.com.
  17. ^ "Holbrook lands surprise head coach gig after snubbing World Cup finalists Samoa". www.foxsports.com.au.


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