Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com – 24/01/2019 – Rugby League – Super League – Super League Launch Media Day – St Helens coach coach Justin Holbrook
Earlier this year Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants have all been linked with a huge move for former St Helens coach Justin Holbrook.
The former Saints boss started the current Saints dynasty turning things around in 2017, guiding them to 26 league wins in 2018 but missed out on both major finals prior to winning the Grand Final in 2019 and was 80 minutes away from the treble.
However, he was let go by Gold Coast Titans this year and was immediately linked with the struggling Leeds, Huddersfield and Warrington by Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks.
Huddersfield shut these down immediately saying they were “totally furious” with the “malicious rumours.”
Warrington also shut down the rumours.
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.
Then St George Illawarra Dragons have joined the race with the club approaching him as a potential assistant to Shane Flanagan.
However, in a surprise twist the Mole of Wide World of Sports has claimed that Holbrook could be set for a shocking return to Super League.
He has claimed that several clubs are interested in his services including St Helens.
This would be a huge surprise given the backing the club have given club legend Paul Wellens.
Wellens also showed his passion for the club today when he slammed the RFL for not protecting him players in the Challenge Cup semi-final against Leigh Leopards.
He said:
“Both Agnatius and Alex have been injured and injured pretty badly. We as a Club, myself as a coach, and those players in particular are angry, upset and disappointed with some of the events from the weekend. Not just those events, but what has transpired in the subsequent days, how we feel that both Agnatius and Alex have been let down by the game.
“We talk about player welfare and the duty of care to its players, those players have been failed this weekend. For Agnatius he is out for a minimum of nine months, he can only have his ACL repaired after his MCL and his ankle ligaments have also healed. It’s three injuries in one tackle. Alex has had surgery today on his MCL, that will be at least twelve weeks.
“Both Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Morgan Knowles suffered injuries, less severe but from similar tackle technique in the same game, so it’s something that’s really frustrated us. Louie’s is his quad/knee after taking a nasty knock, we’re hoping it’s not too long maybe a couple of weeks. Morgan is 50/50 for this week, we’re down on troops so he’ll do everything he can to promote himself to play, but we will not take unnecessary risks and force people to do things they are not capable of.”
